Review of Kabluey (2007) by Jen M — 09 Nov 2008

Movies use a variety of devices to spur character growth, but this is the first time I've seen a plush blue mascot do the honors.

Leslie (Lisa Kudrow) has two overly mischievous children who she must watch while her husband is off fighting insurgents in Iraq. She can't afford child care and needs to keep working to sustain her health care coverage. Enter Salman (writer/director Scott Prendergast), Leslie's brother-in-law and your prototypical 30-something shipwreck. No job. No friends. No money.

"Kabluey" begins with the wrong foot, and seems unlikely to recover. Forced humor doesn't suit Prendergrast's deadpan style, and the violent kid antics keep us beyond arm's length. Then, quietly, just as Salman starts fitting in at home, the movie picks itself up off the canvas and starts throwing some punches. The change comes courtesy of Kabluey, the floppy blue mascot Salman inhabits as a part-time job. Suddenly, people start to notice him. Talk to him. Respect him. Charming and unpretentious, everything that is good about this movie is evidently because of Kabluey. While the movie actually never breaks any standards in filmmaking, the film's subtle humor and Kabluey himself becomes bolder as the movie wears on. It will grow on you. There are many moments that are surprisingly touching and very heartfelt, and all of them are well earned.