The Death of Dick Long

One thing to remember about people who descend into a life of crime is they can be incredibly stupid and make poor decisions. On top of that, add drugs and alcohol and you set the stage for this film. None of the actions taken by the characters are really all that unbelievable, especially when you consider the backwoods area where it all takes place - there is a certain culture you'll find among working class, low income people in the rural south, and this film captures it well. That said, it does branch into comedy given the pure buffoonery of these people. Some of the dialogue is also layered well to provide comic relief. I think comparisons to Fargo are fair; I don't think the merits of this film quite raise to that level - but it does go into similar territory. It's a fairly light film overall that doesn't carry much much of a message or delve too deep, but it remains entertaining on a superficial level.

This movie was inspired by an actual event that took place, not in Alabama, but in Enumclaw, Washington. (Should you want to see this documentary, it's called "Zoo.") Billy Chew apparently thought Alabama, which itself has been the location of lots of strange activity, would be a funnier place for the film.

My family is from Alabama, as is Daniel Scheinert, the director of the film. Some of them would think the movie is hilarious, and recognize themselves in the relationships between the slacker men and smart wives, the families that are all about church but get high on the weekend, the laconic, knowing cops, the impossibility of keeping a secret in a small town, and a culture built around family and kids. They all ring true to me.

The movie is very dark comedy about the misadventures of three buddies who get too drunk at band practice and do some stupid things. One of them ends up dead. Just how drunk they get and how stupid they get is teased out during the movie.

During the process, the story explores the loving connections the buddies have to their families, and the weight that the solution to the death has on the sheriff.

It's a good movie, but not for everyone,

The Death of Dick Long is a film so weird that the film simply existing is a big win. It's just a bonus that it's also a very sincere drama hiding the weirdest answer to what seems like a fairly simple question. There's some substantial pacing issues but originality makes up for a lot in this case.

Everyone here nails the specific kind of quirk this film is going for however, Michael Abbott Jr. Is the standout. Spending a lot of the film stressed out with a level of incompetence that would make Coen brothers characters feel smart by comparison. He even turns the wildest twist into a heartbreaking moment.

Daniel Scheinert's direction starts the film strong, then gets some solid tension out of its interrogations and Zeke's struggles to hide the truth. The frenetic score by Andy Hull and Robert McDowell is an ideal companion to what's on screen and the decision to end on a nickelback song really fits.

What the heck did I just watch??? This movie is beyond bizarre. Lol.

This is not that funny of a film. The stupidity of the characters actually plays more to tragedy than comedy in my opinion. The movie is a mixture of dark comedy, situational humor, investigative ineptitude, surprisingly good acting, and an entertaining (if aimless) narrative.

Maybe my love for the Trailer Park Boys predisposed me to liking podunk humor, but I was entertained throughout the whole thing.

It just feels weird to give this an 8...because...you'll understand when you see it.