By: debbie lynn elias
Definitely one of the funnest (and funniest) films to come from the 2006 Los Angeles Film Festival is BOYS & GIRLS GUIDE TO GETTING DOWN. Making its World Premier in the Festival’s Guilty Pleasures category (and it is definitely a very guilty pleasure!), hands down, absolutely, no holds barred, beyond a shadow of a doubt, this will be the sleeper cult favorite to come from LAFF.
Set today, in the fast paced club district of Cahuenga (as in Boulevard), BGGGD is a handy dandy visual guide that provides the how-to’s and do’s and don’t of clubbing in 21st Century LA, presented in the form of a study conducted by the Heizakeit Institute. Perfectly spoofing those old 1950’s Army training films and those God-awful health class films of the 50’s and 60’s, you’ll learn things like “How to Tip”, “How to Become a Regular”, “How to Get Into A Private Party or Club”, “Drug Dealer Time vs. Real Time” , “How to Silence a Non-Stop Talking Date” and one of my favorites, “Alcohol – From Clumsy to Retarded.” As an added bonus, we even find BGGGD “Hip Tips” scattered throughout the film! Of course, there are some very stimulating educational facts provided as well. Do you know the difference between the male and female brain? (Okay – don’t get me started, but let’s just say that Heizakeit studies reveal that the male brain places much less emphasis on higher life functions.)
Written and directed by Paul Sapiano, the film was shot over a period of seven weeks last year from August to October. With a pitch perfect blend of “animation”, live action and narration, Sapiano wields rapier wit with the ease and fluidity of a Jedi light saber battle. Kudos to him for also being semi-socially responsible when it comes to things like casual sex, drugs, and the all important – friends arrive together, friends leave together mantra. Moving along at an even clip, even those not in the know can follow the flow thanks to its vignette format indexed into chapters. I had the pleasure of speaking with Paul at a post Festival party. Enthusiastic, eclectic and energetic, his joy, optimism and all around sense of fun is infectious and the key to the success of this film.
With over 180 speaking roles, the film incorporates real bartenders, real clubbers, real musicians along with some familiar faces (you know the ones – know the face but not the name) like Steve Monroe. Best known as Frank Tobin in “Miss Congeniality”, Steve is a scream here as the dufus trying to be cool, Bryce. Cricket Leigh, Katie Gilbert and Leyla Milani will also be easily recognizable but it’s newcomer CC Sheffield as Rebecca who makes a real splash.
Although depicting 20-30 somethings today, it speaks to all generations (and I know people in their 40’s who are doing the same stuff) and is FUNNY FUNNY FUNNY but at the same time, actually does provide some good information and does tastefully and tactfully address the downside of alcohol, drugs and casual sex. Artfully interwoven is a pervading sense of morality and responsibility underlying the creativity and fun. There is someone for everyone to relate to in the film, and the surprise appearance at the end of everyone’s favorite principal Dennis Haskins aka Mr. Belding, is just icing on the cake.
Deliciously decadent. It’s time to party hearty and get down with the BOYS & GIRLS GUIDE TO GETTING DOWN!
Steve Monroe: Bryce Michael Fitzgibbon: Andy CC Sheffield: Rebecca Cricket Leigh: Bernice Katie Gilbert: April Richard Blair: Daniel Davin Anderson: Peter
Written and directed by Paul Sapiano. Rated R (88 min) For trailers, downloads and more, check out www.boysandgirlsguide.com
