This look at six regular North American suburban pals in their 20's is almost documentary-like in it's execution, but also shows the multi- talented film-making/actor Butler Brothers' cinematic comedy teething period; as most of their self-made movies (I've seen) are almost a parody reflection of their own personal lives (like Canadian Laurel & Hardys meets Woody Allen or modern Canuck Marx Brothers meets Grumpy Old Men)..The low budget style of their movies reflect stark reality & humour. ..One should check out "Larry & Burt's Gut Rot" their (2010) online episodic dark-comedy effort on Youtube; it could be seen as a sequel to 'Bums'. In the 'Gut Rot' series (which I can see being eventually compiled into a classic feature movie or movie series)...the Butler's tragic characters are older, more bitter,pathetic, lonely and dealing with the harsh reality of the early '10's; with the boys' 30-something characters having to deal with baby-mothers, unemployment, apathy and dead-end jobs...Jason & Brett Butler (much like their counterparts in Frankenpimp (2009) & The Notorious Newman Brothers (2009)) have arrived as fully realized, comedic film characters (Which one may say is like comparing early Peter Seller's tamer 60's Clouseau portrayal, to his broader 70's playing of the same character..more slapstick & satirically defined..but, still a tremendous joy to watch; either way). Thankfully the Bums-like characters (tho' not written as such) are seen to be individualistic survivors, struggling in a gloomy, unforgiving world...I look forward to seeing more similar themed Butler Brothers films..to see how the rest of their lives play out. Grumpiest Old Men, maybe?
