Living in the age of the Internet has meant that many more people can make many more movies, and make them more accessible, than they could when the studio system was more monolithic in the industry. Such circumstances have given rise to an astounding amount of low-grade schlock; to reflect on the worst movies I've ever seen, I'm pretty sure they've all been made in the past 10-12 years. Still more titles are alright, but simply unexceptional - but every now and again one stumbles onto an unlikely gem of one kind or another. Not necessarily movies that are great or must-sees, but titles that nevertheless make an impression of some kind. I'm ever so pleased to say that Lucky Cerruti's 'Freak' is one of those titles.
And here's why: 'Freak' is the epitome of both "indie" and "low-budget." Most cast members have never acted before, and for those that have, it was elsewhere with filmmaker Cerruti. The horror violence and death scenes are fake with an obviousness for which I can't easily summon to mind another like example. The abbreviated length of the feature, its production values, and the minimally garnished essence of any element herein (settings/filming locations, the cast's/characters' sartorial arrangements, props) scream "home-cooked." For all this, however, it's clear that the picture was made with very sincere intent. It's clear that this was borne of passion, and a love of horror. Knowing full well that their means were limited, Cerruti and his friends set out all the same to make the best genre flick that they could - and in light of the absolute earnestness of the effort, I think 'Freak' is very good.
By any measure of comparison it's nothing remarkable, yet for the film's nature, this is highly commendable. Though the narrative is familiar, it's solid, with meaningfully engaging scene writing and dialogue, minor suspenseful airs, and an ambiguous ending I quite like. The acting isn't anything special, but not half bad - and in fact, notably better than that in some more well-financed features I could name, not least in the cases of Sasha Van Cott and Kent Streed who seem the most prepared to be in front of the camera. That camera is operated capably by cinematographer Kagan Rice, and by Cerruti as director; Cerruti's editing likewise shows his hard work. And all those credited with the special effects and creature contributions did a swell job - Cerruti, James Bell, Matthew Sorensen, and Leslie Dame, all of whom also co-star. Yes, all these visuals fall below any standard of realism in film-making - but in and of themselves they look good, and one wishes only that the production had just a few more resources to take advantage of that the imagery could have been more discreet.
Stand 'Freak' next to any more well-known horror flick with a bigger budget and it won't come off well; stand it next to most small-fry features of the past decade, and it will seem right at home. Yet despite its appearance, I quite think this has more in common with the former than the latter. And that's simply because all the rough spots in its making, impacted by scant means or experience, can't diminish the honesty and care with which it was made. It looks very low-grade; it has the spirit of something much better, more time-honored genre films. With that said I can certainly appreciate that it won't appeal to everyone. But for any viewer who can engage with movies on their level, and who loves the genre as much as Cerruti and his friends do - well, 'Freak' is an unexpectedly fine viewing experience..
