FOUND (2013)
FOUND
There has been some great artistic pieces pass me by over a period of time – American Beauty, Summer of the Cicadas (Will Napier), Stand By Me and The Girl Next Door…and then there is FOUND…
From the time I saw the trailer to this movie, I was keen to get hold of it and dissect it (something I do in my reviews and need to do for my own satisfaction with movies I am compelled or asked to write about). The trailer showed a lot of promise – this was not your ordinary horror, this was a thinker and gave the impression of depth, character development and some worthy acting.
My instincts were correct and surpassed.
The film is primarily about two brother’s – Marty and Steve and their interactions along with those involving their parents – Steve is a serial killer who kills people and keeps their head in a bowling bag for a period of time to presumably savour the kill “everyday it’s a new head”…
What we are faced with is the family unit with secrets of their own and wallowing in their own dysfunction seemingly oblivious of the underlying currents within the household – certainly choosing that option to make the best of a bad situation.
Marty is bullied, Steve kills, Mum longs for the love of a past life, Dad satisfying his desires elsewhere or via other mediums. Most of this sounds familiar to many households – except the killing – and it is this contrast that just draws you in. Familiar territory that many have faced and can relate too but taken to the most extreme of extreme’s. I was distinctly reminded of American Beauty in relation to the family unit. An accolade in itself.
The bond between brother’s is strong despite their obvious differences – for Marty, his love of horror, shock at reality when he finally accepts his brother as a killer as “normal” and Steve for his “fatherly type love” of his younger sibling – a “protector” of a kind, was made very clear to the viewer. One couldn’t help wondering with such extremes in character where the hell this would lead us – a feeling of dread of an inevitable conclusion was certainly evident for me – whether that was justified would not be explained until the very, very end.
I don’t want to give too much away here and so continuing throughout the movie we see the normal family/teenage arguments – the alienation of parents, the feeble attempts of them regaining control and relationships with their children and the continued downward spiral of the family unit.
Bullying and alienation are something we have probably all encountered in some way, shape or form and Marty finds himself rejected by his mates, his school and his parents in one foul swoop when he retaliates against his adversaries. The clever inclusion of his church preacher’s disapproval also adds yet another social dimension and norm. That “norm” is blown away…..
With a world of a young boy falling apart he finds only one constant in his limited life – his brother Steve who vows he will never hurt him, who loves him (he says) and who will protect him – which he does in his own unique style.
For gore-hounds, there is the addition of a “home video” of one of Steve’s kills that Marty accidentally finds – something that could be straight out of one of his favourite horror movies until the reality sets in when Steve takes off his mask. There is a great eye gouge scene here that is up there with the best of them. Enough said.
“I need you to stay in my room – I need your bed. Something is going to happen that will change everything. I am going to free both of us…”
The end is near and for Marty he narrates to the viewer “My life is like a horror movie – but who is the Monster..Dad, Steve or me?”
In all honesty (and I can usually pick ’em – I was at a loss as to know how this one was going to end. This was in no way due to clarity issues but instead, the sheer brilliance of the script.
The final an inevitable family confrontation sees Steve attacking his parents and Marty attempting to stop him when he focuses on his Mother.
He pays a heavy price whilst enduring the sounds of his family being tortured – reality in the very worst possible way imaginable and something the majority of viewers would never expect.
A blood soaked naked brother leaves the house…the camera retraces his footsteps to show the audience the ultimate reality of a brotherly bond and a dysfunctional family unit.
You sit there. You ponder.
What are my neighbours really like…
Director Scott Schirmer sent me this dvd to review with the inscription “Thanks for supporting indie film Scratchy Pete!”
With this type of movie, how could I not?? – it is you Scott that should be thanked for this clever little masterpiece that pays homage to the coming of age in the very worst (best) of ways.
I understand this is a limited dvd release of around 200 – that is just a plain travesty – but pure gold for those who can get “FOUND.”
Scratchy Pete
Dec 2013
