POTTERSVILLE

US, 2017, 84 minutes, Colour.
Michael Shannon, Judy Greer, Ron Perlman, Christina Hendricks, Thomas Lennon, Ian McShane?, Blake Perlman.
Directed by Seth Henrikson.


There is a rather enjoyable brief comedy drama. Yes, a lot of it is rather silly. But, yes, there is a nice humanity about it along with atmosphere of spoof. The title, of course, comes from Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life, the happy atmosphere of Bedford Falls, James Stewart as the straight up-and-down American hero, falling on hard times, imagining Bedford Falls transformed into an ugly town, under the power of the banker, Pottersville.

It is something of a surprise to see Michael Shannon who can be a frightening villain doing a quietly comic turn, a 21st-century James Stewart character, stalwart of the small town, kindly in his dealings with customers at the store.

He suddenly finds his wife unfaithful to him with the local sheriff (Christina Hendricks and Ron Perlman) belonging to a sex club, the Furry Club, with the members dressed up as animals. Dismayed, Maynard drinks, get out his Bigfoot costume and roams around the town.

The comic point is that the inhabitants all believe Bigfoot is around. They go in search, industries start-up, tourists arrive, television arrives – especially in the form of an obnoxious host played by Thomas Lennon. His accent is mid-Tasman, touches of Australian and New Zealand accents and, when he says Crikey, it is a spoof on Steve Irwin and his programs. Underneath, he is actually an American huckster. Ian McShane? enjoys himself as a hunter.

Maynard is caught in his hoax, is happy that the town is prospering, his identity however being revealed, everybody turns on him but his devoted store assistant, Judy Greer, reminds everybody of their debt to him and he is welcomed once again (except for his wife whom he quietly tells that they are separating).

An easy and pleasant 84 minutes mixture of the serious and the comic.


1. The title? The reference to It’s a Wonderful Life? From Bedford Falls to Pottersville? From contented community to exploited and depressed community?

2. The average American town? Its look, driving in, in winter and the snow, the buildings, the store, the storeroom? Outside the store, the gatherings? Out in the woods? The musical score? The range of Christmas songs contributing to the mood?

3. The film as comedy? Broad comedy and farce? Satire and spoof? Superstitions about Bigfoot? Public gullibility? The satire on television programs and personalities?

4. Maynard, age and experience, the family owning the store, his kindness, delays in paying debts, candy to children, the revelation that he had no debts in his book? His enthusiasm, Parker as his assistant, her loyal support, relying on her? Bart, hunting, the meet? Maynard going home, surprising Connie and sheriff Jack, the disguises, the Furry Club? His disappointment and shock? Returning to the store, finding his Bigfoot costume, drinking, putting it on, roaming the town? The people and their sightings?

5. The response of the population, believing in Bigfoot, testimonies, the media and the interviews? All wanting to see Bigfoot and hunt it? The arrival of Masterton, his false Australian accent, Is Patter, self-importance, his song, dealing with people, prima donna behaviour with rehearsing his lines, insulting people, his producer, the powers of persuasion? Powers that be, the decision to hunt? The sheriff wanting to go? Meeting with Bart? His conditions?

6. Maynard and his reaction, serious, wanting to tell the sheriff, getting cut off? His decision to continue? Seeing everybody happy? Signs of hope? Connie and her excitement? Parker and her disbelief, suspicions, finding the costume, trying to help?

7. Going on the hunt, the dart subduing the sheriff, Bart and his comments, coyotes? Masterton and his pretentiousness? Filming? Maynard coming out, the dart, unconscious, on the truck, the revelation, Parker and her intervention? Masterton and his dismay? Reaction of the people, the denunciations?

8. The television interview with Maynard, his confession, his wanting hope for the town? Parker and her talking to the crowd, how Maynard waived their debts, the good of the town? Their all coming back? The further television interview – and hope for Christmas? Everybody being nice? The deputy and her repeating all the sheriff’s orders, coming back to apologise?

9. Bart, the commonsensed man? His reaction to the Furry Club and ordering them off? Masterton enjoying the attention?

10. Connie, wanting to bask in Maynard’s reputation, his quietly telling her that they should separate? Her huff?

11. Maynard, continuing his life in the town, with Parker, a happy ending?