RELAXER
(2018)
Starring
Joshua Burge, David Dastmalchian, Andre Hyland, Amari Cheatom, Adina
Howard. Directed by Joel Potrykus. (91 min).
ON
BLU-RAY FROM
Review
by Fluffy the Fearlessđ
It’s
1999, a few months before Y2K (remember that?). Abbie (Joshua Burge)
is a scrawny, sweaty, shiftless loser who lives in his brother’s
squalid apartment. He does nothing but sit on the sofa in his
underwear playing video games. His bullying brother, Cam (David
Dastmalchian), frequently issues various ‘challenges’ to motivate him, none of which he’s ever completed.
As he prepares for the Y2K apocalypse, Cam offers Abbie one last
challenge: reach level 256 of Pac-Man (which no one
has done) without leaving the couch. He has until the new year to do
it or he’ll be kicked out. Initially, the viewer assumes the year’s
end is near, but after accepting the challenge, Abbie is on the sofa
for months. A few acquaintances drift in-and-out of the apartment
during this time, but he’s mostly alone, wallowing in his own filth
as he goes to disgusting extremes to stay alive while adhering to the
rules of the challenge.
That’s
the basic premise of Relaxer, Joel Potrykus’ latest ode to
slackerdom that bombards the viewer with obnoxious characters
(including our repugnant protagonist), obsessive behavior and scenes
calculated to trigger the gag reflex. Taking place entirely in a
single room, the film is initially so meandering and abrasive that I
was tempted to rage-quit a few times (especially during a needlessly
protracted scene of one idiot demanding payment for soda).
 |
| "Don't take this personally, bro, but maybe you should watch some of these workout videos." |
However,
there’s something about Abbie’s
descent into savagery that’s
morbidly fascinating, like watching a gruesome car accident in slow
motion. The film also grows increasingly surreal, especially during
the final act, when Abbie appears to have developed telepathic
abilities (or maybe he’s simply delusional). While he isn’t
remotely likable, we’re sucked-in by Burge’s predominantly
physical performance, which can best be described as brave.
A
love-it-or-loathe-it film, to
be sure, Relaxer will obviously appeal to those already
in-sync with Potrykus’ sensibilities. Others will dismiss it as a
freak show, their patience severely tested. The attempt to appeal to
the fringe crowd sometimes feels a little too calculated, but
definitely leaves no middle ground.
EXTRA
KIBBLES
BEHIND-THE-SCENES
FEATURETTE
AUDIO
COMMENTARY – By director Joel Potrykus.
"MILK
PARTY” - A 10 minute video of a group of people drinking
gallon-jugs of milk until they puke. Seriously.
DELETED
SCENE
TRAILER
KITTY CONSENSUS:
NOT BAD. LIKE CAT CHOW.
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