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The University News

Smith raises quirk level in ‘Tusk’

Written and directed by Kevin Smith, Tusk is packed with an interesting story and a killer cast, yet leaves the viewer disturbed and wondering the same question I pose: did I really just see that?

I went into this movie without a single clue of the plot and walked out never being able to forget it. Comedy writer and director Smith takes the audience to Manitoba, Canada in this horror flick, and there’s definitely no turning back.

Tusk may come as a surprise for any Kevin Smith fans out there, but I’m not sure it will be a pleasant one. First, I’ll talk about some of the good qualities in this film, as overall, l I felt it gave the viewer what he/she paid for: entertainment. At the film’s surface, the story and acting masters suspense and lures the audience through this creepy, unbelievable turn of events.

The film’s central character Wallace (Justin Long) is a podcaster from Los Angeles seeking a new story to share with his fellow podcaster Teddy (Haley Joel Osment). Wallace and Teddy find their perfect story to mock, which brings the former to Canada. When the story falls through, Wallace, scrapping for a new piece, finds himself inside the sprawling manor of an older gentleman named Howard Hough (Michael Parks), who boasts of having many tales of his remarkable life at sea.

As the film progresses, the viewer, as well as Wallace, quickly realizes that although his stories may be true, his intentions are extremely sinister: he means to physically turn Wallace into an animal. Now, the title of the film becomes instantly more gruesome. Two performances truly hold this film together, one that is tantalizing and horrifying by Michael Parks and another by Geneses Rodriguez, who plays Wallace’s caring and underappreciated girlfriend, Ally.

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Parks delivers as the ultimate villain, hidden underneath his wild anecdotes and immobilized appearance. Smith gives Parks some of the best lines in this largely longwinded film, and the actor does not disappoint. His timing is poised and thrilling; his manic, sardonic laughter towards his victim is haunting.

Rodriguez, on the other hand, does not have stellar lines to work with but excels regardless. Her character brings a level of humanity to the outrageous course that the film takes, allowing the viewer to dislike Wallace while still sympathizing with his current predicament.

Stripping away these performances and delving deeper into the script, the film’s flaws become more apparent. One major flaw is Smith’s pedantic and sometimes boring writing. Unfortunately, it seemed as though he relied too much on the bevy of brilliant actors, thus resulting in an unfulfilling screenplay. There were a few scenes that dragged on while others displayed an imbalance between comedy and horror. It felt as though Smith would revert to his humorous ways in unnecessary moments.

Despite these shortcomings, Tusk succeeds in being unforgettable and enjoyable. It’s a film that one must see to truthfully believe, but be warned.

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