VENGEANCE

US, 2022, 107 minutes, Colour.

B.J.Novak, Boyd Holbrook, Lio Tipton, Ashton Kutcher, Isabella Amara, Dove Cameron, J.Smith-Cameron, Eli Bickel, Issa Rae, Louanne Stephens, Clint Ovenchain, Zach Villa.

Directed by B.J.Novak.

Vengeance is an unusual film, written and directed by actor B.J.Novak who appears as the central character.

Novak portrays a journalist, interested in the human condition and also interested in the American character. He has an agent played by Issa Rae. He plans to do something substantial in writing and pod cast on this American preoccupation.

However, he is caught up in a complex plot, presumed to be the boyfriend of a dead singer in Texas, contacted by her brother, Boyd Holbrook, and expected to attend her funeral. He does, meeting the brother, using his wits in his speech at the funeral, but then welcomed into the eccentric family. He decides that they are perfect for his exploration, the young women eager for celebrity, the older generation of women, forthright in their comments, and all allowing themselves to be taped at the dinner table.

However, there is a mystery about the dead woman, her drugtaking, where her body was found, at the corner of three jurisdictions and so investigations neglected. There are the police, there are drug dealers, there is a DJ played by Ashton Kutcher who sees himself above the locals but is highly involved.

Many complications, violent attacks, exposure, deadlines for his contributions, and, finally, his taking justice into his own hands.

Curious and intriguing.

1. The title, the final vengeance, motivation?
2. The New York City atmosphere, world, the New Yorker, the media, what cast? The contrast with West Texas, the landscapes, the roads, the funeral, family life, the home, the rodeo, the Afterparties, the gangs and drugs, communes? The musical score?
3. The contribution of B.J.Novak, writer, director, actor? Giving a tone to the film?
4. A film of dialogue, issues, investigating the nature of the United States, Americans, presuppositions from New York City, presuppositions from Texas, stances reinforced, challenged, wider horizons opened? The limited attitudes, yet an openness?
5. The introduction, to Ben, talking with his friend, clubs, relationships, values, the night with the girl, the phone call, the death of Abilene, tie on the phone, his expectations, not just flowers but Ben’s presence?
6. The contact with Eloise, her role with the media, encouraging Ben, urging him on, recordings, listening, the pod cast, the various contacts, her response to the crises? The finished pod cast and her urging him to finish?
7. The funeral, Ty meeting Ben, the drive, talk, the revelations, Abilene, singing, the Minister, and getting by with subterfuge? Welcomed into the family, the meals, Ty and his friendship, Mason and his being called El Stupido, the two daughters, celebrity, the solicitous mother, the tough grandmother, the welcome of the table, his taping the family, their happy at being celebrities? The theme of Whataburger – because it was there!
8. The friendship, opening up West Texas to Ben?
9. The drugs, the drug dealer, suspect? The jurisdictions, the corner of the states, the sheriff? Call, his friendship, explaining the parties?
10. Quentin Sellers, educated, living in Texas, recordings, his philosophy of life, discussions with Ben? Later, the parties, the drug girl and her being dragged away, his giving Ben the recordings, then opening them, the clue and the help from Mason, driving Mason out to the confrontation, the confrontation with Quentin, the accusation, his nonchalance, the truth? The gun, then shooting him?
11. Ben, at the Rodeo, his backing the wrong team, the later explosion of the car, the group at the party, his going to the hospital, the family visiting him?
12. His revelation of the truth to the family, falling out with them, Ty hitting him?
13. Eloise, wanting him to pull out, that the investigation had finished?
14. The aftermath of killing Quentin, the discussions with the mother, her support, reconciliation? And his deleting all the conversations with the family?
15. A wry examination of the US in the 2020s?