Review of Kabluey (2007) by Marvin H — 08 Jul 2008

You have to love the Cinema Village. Not only have they maintained their $10 ticket fee, but they manage to program diamonds in the rough like this film. I even like the surly staff! But back to the movie: Even I have to admit to experiencing quirky indie fatigue at this point.

It seems as if every week, we hear about this year's Juno. But this triple threat manages to come up with a fresh spin on a done to death genre. The plot centers around an oddball kind of guy trying to help his sister-in-law with her two, non-stop ruckus driven brats.

The premise does invite comparisons to 90's schlock like Home Alone. But the director creates a comedy that also serves as social satire. Various topics are lampooned such as credit card debt, public transport, office culture, economic turmoil and childcare.

But in between the zingers, you start to feel a certain camaraderie with this crazy cast of characters. LK plays her usual exasperated bitch, but she infuses her part with gusto. And strong supporting players contribute to the laugh factor.

Special mention has to be made about the mascot costume. It makes a statement about surreal nature of sterile suburbia. And the animated end sequence is awesome. So forget about Hancock and get yourself down to the Cinema Village!