By: debbie lynn elias
I had the privilege of attending the world premiere of THE TRIPPER, which opened Screamfest 2006, one of the, dare I say it, “coolest” festivals around, and have since patiently awaited its big screen release after playing the festival circuit. With no real pre-festival promotion or hype but for the fact that this was David Arquette’s directorial debut, I had no pre-conceived notions about the quality of the film or Arquette’s directing abilities. Let me start by saying this – Brilliant political satirical conceptualization (albeit a bit heavy handed) and not too shabby with the technicalities of filmmaking.
Make love not war. Hug a tree. Save the planet. Graphically distorted news footage of war dead grace a tv as a voice intones the horrors of war. Echos of our past reverberate as much now as ever and a young boy silently and almost invisibly listens to his old school father arguing with activists over saving the California Redwoods. And so the stage is set.
Frank Baker is a peace guru, and aging golden oldie. Host and promoter of a love and peace concert under the welcoming arms of the redwoods (and ironically, the very same ones a father was fighting against saving some years ago – hmm.), one feels transported in time back to the 1969 Summer of Love. Samantha, Jack, Ivan, Joey and Linda, who can only be described as hippies, for lack of a better term, are anxious to participate and be part of the experience. Setting off for their weekend of wonderment, we quickly learn that there is more than meets the eye to these 20-somethings as each has been influenced by the past, now affecting the path each is travelling today.
As to be expected, a love and peace fest today is pretty much like what we all experienced or heard about in the 60’s and 70’s. Drugs, sex, sit-ins, love-ins and a group of local residents, and one in particular, who are less than happy with the concert and its attendees. Before anyone can scream, “But, I’m a Republican!” an axe-wielding murderer wearing a Ronald Reagan mask descends upon the concert and the locals. Not just wearing a Reagan mask, but being obsessed with Ronald Reagan to boot (HEEERE’S RONNIE!!!), body parts fly, trappings of youth and peace and activism are hacked into nothing more than mulch. As Sheriff Buzz Hall attempts to calm the fracas, protect the locals, and heaven forbid, those party-going drugged out hippies, the psychotic axe-murdered rips his way through the throngs one by one leaving nameless, unidentifiable carnage in his path. Thanks to their drug induced oblivion and suffering from the sheep syndrome, many of the survivors are unable to grasp the seriousness of the situation. Is it really that bad and even if it is, what could they possibly do about it? (Okay, do we see where Arquette is going?) And who is the Regan Ripper?
The cast is surprisingly effective and extremely well cast. The youthful group of Jamie King as Samantha, Lukas Haas as Ivan, Stephen Heath as Jack, Marsha Thomason as Linda and Jason Mewes as Joey are the embodiment of what comes to all of our minds when one thinks 1960’s, hippies and love fest, etc. They each capture the youthful essence and innocence of not only then, but in many aspects, now, with blinders and a fear of facing life head on. And I have to say it, Lukas Haas, again turns in another enigmatic captivating and enjoyable performance. Paul “Pee Wee Herman” Reubens is ideal as aging promoter Frank Baker. With a smarmy tinge on his espousing of peace and love, one’s curiosity is piqued as to who Frank Baker really is as the film progresses. The real coup is Tom Jane as Sheriff Buzz Hall. As effective here as he was in “The Punisher”, Jane has a knack for picking suitable and identifiable roles and hits a home run almost everytime. And of course, Arquette has cast himself in the part of Muff. (Not to be a spoiler – see the film and you’ll understand.) One of the best performances, however, comes from a brief cameo by Courtney Cox Arquette who simply steals the scene as Cynthia.
Written and directed by David Arquette, be forewarned – he wields the pen the way his killer wields an axe. Leaving no stone unturned, no political policy unscathed, he is an equal opportunity commentator. With the dark satirical subtlety of a set of brass knuckles slamming you in the face, he draws analogies between Viet Nam and Iraq and the socio-political climates of the past 30 years that are easily recognizable to multiple generations. With everything from jelly beans to a pet pig named George W owned by the Reagan Ripper to a killer dog named Nancy, his dialogue is laced with oleander and arsenic simmering in a warm glass of milk (or shot of vodka) that makes it more than palatable. Arquette goes so far as to even educate, making reference to Reagan’s one of Reagan’s decisions while Governor of California concerning mental patients. The dialogue is fresh and crisp with a bold brashness few filmmakers and scriptwriters dare to deliver. What I find particularly refreshing is that even with all of the verbal and physical hacking and slashing going on, Arquette took the time to develop his characters. Rather than have them all be vapid, stoned, zombies, each has depth and individual personality that stands out.
While the film is a “low budget slasher”, the production values are good, and particularly the work of veteran cinematographer Bobby Bukowski who manages to incorporate and capture those well known “drug-induced” Timothy Leary LSD looking effects with pleasing visual style. Shot on location in the Big Basin Redwoods State Park in Boulder, California, the setting is pristine and beautiful and if nothing else, should give everyone pause to do their own part to stop global warming, save the environment and appreciate the majesty of the California redwoods. And a side note, stay through the credits; they are a hoot and a holler.
Reminiscent of the 80’s horror flicks with a sharper edge, but a genre unto itself, THE TRIPPER is a trip and a half.
Jamie King: Samantha Lukas Haas: Ivan Stephen Heath: Jack Marsha Thomason: Linda Jason Mewes: Joey Thomas Jane: Sheriff Buzz Kill David Arquette: Muff Courtney Cox Arquette: Cynthia
Written and directed by David Arquette. Rated R.
