Elusive

This movie certainly isn't for everyone, but if you end up connecting with it, even a little, you're going to fall head over heels in love.

It takes some big swings right out of the gate that could immediately put some people off (there's a psychedelic reenactment of a Bigfoot sex act within the first 10 minutes, and no I'm not kidding), so if your pearls are easily clutched, I can tell you right now this one's not for you. But for those who either enjoy or can make it past the surface-level absurdity, there's a genuinely heartfelt story waiting for you on the other side.

The seams of its low budget show every now and then, but nothing so massive it ruins the experience. It helps that this is a mockumentary (supposedly made by a single guy who, by his own admission, seems to have barely passed film school), so it's easier to forgive here than if it had been done more traditionally. Not every low-budget movie can be a mockumentary, obviously, but it clearly worked in this case as an example of filmmakers finding a creative way around, if not outright embracing, their limitations.

Overall, if you go in with an open mind that's ready to laugh (and maybe even cry), you'll be rewarded with a movie that is so much smarter, big-hearted, and crowd pleasing than you might expect.

This is a film that makes you squirm, then roll your eyes from the silliness, then wipe your eyes from laughter, then wipe your eyes from the sentiments. And there are some scary parts, too. I won't go into a rambling critic-like critique, but only because I don't know how to do that. I do know how to write this: I love this movie. I laughed, I choked back tears...no, that's not true. They wouldn't be choked back. I just boo-hoo'd like a dad. Every actor hit a tater (that's baseball talk for Home Run).

If you don't watch this movie, you're dumb. If you do watch it and don't laugh, cry and cringe at the corn, and say, "holy $h÷t" a coupla times well then you're just a moron with no sense of humor nor a heart. Them's just the facts. Boom boom, schwing schwing, peeuw, peeuw.

Ever since shows like "The Office" and "Parks and Recreation" gained a mass following, mockumentary style media has taken American entertainment by storm, for better or for worse. Because of this, it's become increasingly difficult to pull off a mockumentary successfully. "Elusive" however, does achieve this goal while also managing to pack, not only some light social commentary, but a heart felt message as well. Creating characters within satire that are more than just a joke is no easy task, but Sanford and McDonald took a hilarious buddy comedy duo and managed to create reason to care about and root for them.

Bradchad Porter's Wayne is a good natured cryptozoologist with a unique take on a troubled past, and Alex Sanchez's Jimmy is the perfect caricature of the pretentious film student types we either love to mock or relate to maybe a bit too much. Needless to say they brought an emotional message I can only compare to a warm and fuzzy Christmas movie, alongside humor that hits even better then some of the best mockumentary shows, and they did this all in only 93 minutes.

Beyond the main duo, though they obviously aren't going to have as much development, the supporting cast packed some wonderful punches. One of the keys to comedy is well placed pay off and call backs and this movie's use of the side characters to achieve said payoff is sublime. A special shout out is in order for Cherish Parker's Officer Sharon, who was a magical blend of awkward, charming, and downright hilarious in her odd air of confidence and straight forwardness. Speaking of the humor, fart jokes rarely ever land with me, but Elusive brought a fart joke that was not only good, but in context made me teary eyed. Yes, Sanford and McDonald found a way to make a fart joke tug at your heart strings. How you ask? You will have to see for yourself.

All in all, please support independent filmmakers and the art of comedy by finding a way to see this stupid big foot movie.

Cult film is two words that seem to follow "Elusive" around much like the film's main characters and "Bigfoot".....and that's a totally appropriate description. I can completely see a niche group being all over this film, and yeah, it's probably only a matter of time til you start seeing midnight showings with fans dressing up as their favorite characters. Hyperbole? Possibly but time will tell for sure.

This is definitely a smart film, with tons of in-jokes and "Michael Scott"-style cringy moments. Be sure to look out for one character's short-sighted appreciation for the "Office" boss' pop culture reference. Give this title a try and then go watch the 70s stuff (which was ironically not ironic) that inspired it.

The giggles won't stop coming. This cryptozoological mockumentary won't be what you expected in the best possible way! It is a fun, lighthearted comedy with an unlikely yet loveable duo. It's silly and also touching. Must watch!