The Orkly Kid

I just saw this the other night. To try to clarify, this is 3 short films. The first one is, I believe, actual video footage of the Beaver Kid, the subject of the 3 films. The second film, is Sean Penn, doing his impression, almost scene for scene, of the Beaver Kid. The third is the most movie-like of the three, starring Crispin Glover as the Beaver Kid (Orkly Kid?).

Hilarious. The first is a riot in itself.

Both that follow are great. There are a lot of laughs, and it's pretty dark comedy, so look out. Crispin Glover's performance in the 3rd is excellent. It's so talented, he has the Beaver boy down pat.

When I was quite young when my sister took me to the downtown art center where the director was showing this film. I think there were two versions of this. Both were pretty much the same but had a different scene here and there.

This short really shows how people in some small towns think and how they treat change. It really stuck in my mind afterwards. I dont know where you can find it or see it but its worth it.

Outstanding! This is Crispin Glover's favorite film of his. Never released because they can't get the rights to Olivia Newton John's song, which is absolutely essential to the film. Sean Penn was also up for the starring role, with the wise choice going to the amazing Crispin Glover.

"The Orkly Kid" is a high quality short film, establishing a strong sense of storytelling and characterization, and just barely avoiding becoming heavy-handed in revealing what it's protagonist REALLY wants. Crispin Glover gives a quirky, charming, and ultimately touching performance in the lead role.

While director Trant Harris' visual style is not especially slick, innovative or accomplished, he tells his story very well, and the lack of technical razzle-dazzle actually becomes more of a strength than a weakness. "The Orkly Kid" is not a perfect film. An mentioned before, it comes close to being heavy handed in it's subtext. But it is a memorable, creative and well told story that deserves to be seen.

I was able to see this version in 1995 when Trent did a screening at the Utah Film and Video Center. It was so fun! Trent loved the story, and showed us the original footage of the actual guy from Beaver Utah.

So, one thing about the Orkin Kid that I noticed (although I could be remembering wrong since it's been since the Beaver Trilogy showed at Sundance in 2001 that I've seen the movie) is that they implied that the Orkin Kid had some homosexual tendencies, which wasn't in the original footage.

Growing up in Utah, seeing that footage hit close to home. I've been to (and in) a few funny talent shows, and have some old 8mm of my own.

-teehee

Thanks Trent and Crispin!