Hola all. Massawyrm here.
Well here's a rare treat. There's really no other way to describe this. Fido is an adorable, lovable…zombie film…with a big heart. And it's going into limited release this week. This film is a true oddity, its own beast right from the get go. While most films, especially genre films, fall into certain molds and models – Fido borrows from all over the place and in turn creates something entirely novel. And frankly, that's not always a good thing. Some people just won't get this. They won't know how to classify it. But while it has CULT stamped all over it, it's not so different that it really requires a specific taste or sense of humor to get something out of it.
Fido is built on the classic a boy and his dog story model, more specifically a cross between Old Yeller and Lassie. The year is 1950-something. Rather than nazis, the world has gone to war with the undead who rose up in a zombie apocalypse unlike anything the world's ever seen. And wouldn't you know it? Our boys came back successful. Sure most of the world is a post apocalyptic wasteland filled with wandering mindless zombies. But good ole American know-how has allowed us to build idyllic fenced in paradises where a man can come home from a long day at the office, put on his slippers, smoke a pipe, enjoy a martini…and have his zombie slave set the table.
Yes, humanity has enslaved zombies. And the Robinson's are getting their first. And wouldn't you know it – Young Timmy Robinson is about to learn some valuable lessons about life in this wonderfully fresh a boy and his zombie movie. Really, that's what this is. It's cute, it's seriously funny. It's a boy and his dog movie – with zombies. Can you really call a movie in which people get eaten cute? This time you can.
Fido wields a delightful kitsch unlike anything you've ever seen before. Everything works – from their attention to detail of life in a 50's world, to the attitudes of a world that's just come out of the horrible throes of a zombie war, to the intolerance and social dynamics of the time. All of this is beautifully laid out while juxtaposed against the absurdity of bright and shiny post war world. There's a ton of complicated and subtle commentary here, allegories laid carefully within the framework of the story – and yet at the same time, it is mercilessly funny. It gets downright goofy at points. And the greater your appreciation of '50s film and television, the greater your enjoyment of this.
Everyone does a great job here, especially Billy Connolly as the title character, Fido the Zombie. He's practically unrecognizable and is forced to give his entire performance through emoting – since, you know, zombies don't talk – which he does admirably. Carrie Ann Moss is fantastic as the lonely, neglected '50s housewife. But stealing the show is Tim Blake Nelson as the weird, old school scientist filled to the brim with pipe smoking machismo. He's got himself a teenage zombie mistress and a rifle ready to take the head off of a rampaging zombie at 50 yards. And he's one of the funniest things this movie has to offer.
Look, I know. Zombie movies are on their way out. There's so many of them I can't imagine the trend lasting much longer without folks getting tired of it. But fortunately for us there are two movies this summer that really try to do something new and different with it (I'll talk about the second one, Black Sheep, next week.) If you've grown tired of the stale zombie stories – this is the one that's gonna give you something refreshing. I really, truly enjoyed the hell out of this one and can't wait to see it again. While it's strange to use words like delightful and adorable with any film in which people get eaten or have their heads blown off, that's the only way to describe this. Frankly, if you're the type of person who reads AICN, there's really no excuse not to give this one a shot. It was tailor made for us and our irreverent sense of humor.
Highly recommended for zombie fans, discriminating viewers who enjoy something really original or anyone looking for a laugh. Not Recommended for anyone hoping for a serious zombie film or who has a dislike for kitsch.
Until next time friends, smoke ‘em if ya got ‘em.
Massawyrm
Oh, and check out that kid's curtains. I want those fucking curtains. Know how to get them? E-mail me here!
