In the grand scale of things there are really only two reasons why one watches a movie.
There are those who wish to see something meaningful; something that transcends it's fictional boundaries and really hits on something real, touching us and reminding us what is it to be human.
The movie, The Rat King, however, in NOT that kind of movie. No, this one would fall into the other category, which is the opposite of the former, in that it is about escapism. Leaving behind for a while mundane reality to embark on a trip where logic and reason really have no place. I believe that such vacations from reality are necessary- we do it in our dreams every night. Dreams, however, take place in our own subconscious and thus, ultimately, tell us nothing new. Other people's dreams, brought to life via the magic of art...well, they may not tell us anything new per se, but they do give us a taste of the irrational from another's point-of-view, and thus, allow us to enjoy their madness vicariously.
The Rat King is nothing more or less than writer/director Fraser Lyons mad, mad dream world come to life. The plot moves forward (and ends abruptly) with no rhyme or reason, just as you'd expect it not to in a dream. It's themes are abuse and revenge, which I know are things I've dreamed about. But it my dreamworld, things tend to be fatalistic and severe. In Mr. Lyons's fantasy escapade, the most horrendous of acts are well, very funny. It leaves me imagining him waking up from a particularly intense nightmare, laughing his twisted ass off. Oh, by the way, Lyons not only wrote and directed this farcical opus, he also plays (of all the twisted characters in this film) "Just a Shift Leader", who pines for his big promotion at the local pool while taking out his frustrations by repeatedly anally raping our poor protagonist.
So, Mr. Lyons, please don't let your quest for promotion at the local pool stop you from what looks to be a sick, depraved, glorious film career.
Without giving away any more of the plot than I have already, I just want to say that this movie, though not for the squeamish, is a must see for all fans of Cult B-Movies. Contrary to the movie's tag-line, this is certainly a Rat-Head that is worth missing Smackdown for.
If you ever pass up the rare chance to view this movie, trust me, you'll be left asking yourself "Who's the rat now?"
There are those who wish to see something meaningful; something that transcends it's fictional boundaries and really hits on something real, touching us and reminding us what is it to be human.
The movie, The Rat King, however, in NOT that kind of movie. No, this one would fall into the other category, which is the opposite of the former, in that it is about escapism. Leaving behind for a while mundane reality to embark on a trip where logic and reason really have no place. I believe that such vacations from reality are necessary- we do it in our dreams every night. Dreams, however, take place in our own subconscious and thus, ultimately, tell us nothing new. Other people's dreams, brought to life via the magic of art...well, they may not tell us anything new per se, but they do give us a taste of the irrational from another's point-of-view, and thus, allow us to enjoy their madness vicariously.
The Rat King is nothing more or less than writer/director Fraser Lyons mad, mad dream world come to life. The plot moves forward (and ends abruptly) with no rhyme or reason, just as you'd expect it not to in a dream. It's themes are abuse and revenge, which I know are things I've dreamed about. But it my dreamworld, things tend to be fatalistic and severe. In Mr. Lyons's fantasy escapade, the most horrendous of acts are well, very funny. It leaves me imagining him waking up from a particularly intense nightmare, laughing his twisted ass off. Oh, by the way, Lyons not only wrote and directed this farcical opus, he also plays (of all the twisted characters in this film) "Just a Shift Leader", who pines for his big promotion at the local pool while taking out his frustrations by repeatedly anally raping our poor protagonist.
So, Mr. Lyons, please don't let your quest for promotion at the local pool stop you from what looks to be a sick, depraved, glorious film career.
Without giving away any more of the plot than I have already, I just want to say that this movie, though not for the squeamish, is a must see for all fans of Cult B-Movies. Contrary to the movie's tag-line, this is certainly a Rat-Head that is worth missing Smackdown for.
If you ever pass up the rare chance to view this movie, trust me, you'll be left asking yourself "Who's the rat now?"