TLDR;
The video analyzes the 2005 film "Feed," directed by Brett Leonard, as an oddity that blends gruesome imagery with comedic elements. The film follows an Australian cop who investigates a website centered on overweight women and morbid bets. The analysis focuses on the film's tonal inconsistencies, deliberate yet bizarre directorial choices, and its failure to deliver genuine shock or suspense. Despite its flaws, "Feed" is considered entertaining due to its weirdness and questionable decisions, making it a unique and baffling cinematic experience.
- The film's tone is inconsistent, oscillating between extreme body horror and dark comedy.
- The director's choices, such as bizarre camera angles and under-rehearsed actors, contribute to the film's oddness.
- "Feed" fails to deliver genuine shock or suspense, undermining its potential impact.
- Despite its flaws, the film is entertaining in an unintentional way, similar to "The Room."
Introduction to "Feed" [0:00]
The film "Feed" (2005) is presented as an interesting case study of how graphic and gruesome imagery can inadvertently turn to comedy. Unlike films that are "so bad they're good," "Feed" is not poorly made but is handled in a very unusual manner. Directed by Brett Leonard, known for "The Lawnmower Man," "Feed" centers on Phillip, an Australian cop who investigates a website where a man named Michael finds overweight women, encourages them to gain weight to become a metric ton, and bets on when they will die, seemingly feeding the fat from their corpses to the next "gainer." While the film could be categorized as body horror or extreme horror, its tone and handling are what set it apart.
Plot and Initial Impressions [2:44]
The film opens with a scene reminiscent of Ed Gein's home, featuring a "severed dick in a frying pan," setting a bizarre tone. The plot involves Phillip, the Australian internet policeman, traveling to Germany for a bust and returning to his unconventional relationship. The film tries to shock the audience by highlighting the attraction of slender men to very fat women, but this doesn't land as particularly shocking. The film's attempt to portray an obese woman being fed to death as shocking is undermined by its pop music montages and baffling scenes.
Bizarre Directorial Choices [5:00]
The analysis highlights several bizarre directorial choices, such as a scene where Phillip approaches Michael's sister with odd dialogue and strange camera angles. These choices appear deliberate rather than incompetent, contributing to the film's unique weirdness. Another example is the peculiar delivery by Deardra, the fat lady, when Phillip attempts to rescue her. The director's decision to under-rehearse the actors to achieve spontaneity results in repetitive dialogue and sentiments.
The Climax and Ending [8:04]
The film's climax involves a lengthy confrontation between Phillip, Michael, and Deardra, ending with a hostage situation. The fate of Michael's wife is left unresolved, and the film concludes with Phillip living with Michael's sister. The ending is described as fitting into the genre but is undermined by the use of upbeat music, which clashes with the sinister atmosphere.
Analysis and Conclusion [9:04]
"Feed" demands a suspension of disbelief but doesn't offer enough to justify it. While it may gross viewers out, its attempts at shock value often come across as funny. The film isn't particularly self-aware, and its tonal inconsistencies prevent it from being either a successful spoof or a genuinely upsetting work. Despite its misfirings, "Feed" is entertaining in an unintentional way, similar to "The Room," due to its weirdness and questionable decisions. The director's choices are baffling, making "Feed" a genuine oddity that leaves viewers questioning everything they thought they knew about movies.