An explosive political thriller that rips the lid off the hype and hypocrisy of American politics without even leaving the dining room table. Four talented performers (David Morwick, AnnaLea Arnold, R. Brandon Johnson and Lalesha Railsback) purportedly gather to celebrate a birthday with a quiet dinner. But before they're done — and well before dessert — they manage to cluster bomb the 2008 Presidential campaign, along with their relationships. In particular, Morwick scores as the angst-driven Clintonite enraged by an Obama-obsessed media. His smoldering intensity, enhanced by his All-American good looks, very nearly leaps off the screen. Arnold, as the staunch Republican, squelches the stereotype of a screeching right-winger to offer a surprisingly even-handed treatment of Sarah Palin. The film's balanced approach -- Johnson skillfully kicks the Dems just as much as Railsback skewers Republicans -- is neither a red state rant nor a liberal diatribe. The result is something way more thoughtful than anything on the cable news scream fests, equally high-decibel yet far more exhilarating. Within half-an-hour, Morwick -- who also wrote the screenplay -- torpedoes sexism, ageism, fawning media doublespeak, overpromising yet underperforming politicians and at least a dozen other hot button issues. But the lingering aftertaste of The Mondavi Gang still leaves you hungry for more. Your next dinner party should be this lively, but if it is, heed our warning -- first hide the crockery. (Bill Retherford, Coast-With-The-Most Productions)
5 Reviews
A Remarkable Depection of Politics
rachellevy392 May 2010
The politically inspired film is certainly alive and well. Take The Mondavi Gang, a new short film dealing with the 2008 U.S. Presidential campaign. Documenting a conversation between close friends where politics becomes a fiery dinnertime subject, the film is a remarkable depiction of politics as they register in everyday people, not the media talking heads who typically lost their minds. The film is brilliant and a blessing. When one thinks about it, it's also wonderfully subtle, because it formulates a round table critique of the candidates without being boringly or boorishly partisan. We get dissections of all the candidates and x-rays of their supporters' passions. David Morwick is especially excellent as the Hilary Clinton advocate. One feels not only entertained but instructed by his point-by-point assessment.
However, neither his character nor any of the others seem didactic to the viewer; to each other, however, they can be hilariously pedantic. The ensemble cast is uniformly strong. This is the kind of film to alleviate the doldrums of Hollywood visions of presidential derring-do and dirty tricksaroo. Here is (finally!) some intelligent cinema which helps this viewer, this citizen, understand a little more about the different people with whom he shares this vast, confusing land. Bravo, The Mondavi Gang!
However, neither his character nor any of the others seem didactic to the viewer; to each other, however, they can be hilariously pedantic. The ensemble cast is uniformly strong. This is the kind of film to alleviate the doldrums of Hollywood visions of presidential derring-do and dirty tricksaroo. Here is (finally!) some intelligent cinema which helps this viewer, this citizen, understand a little more about the different people with whom he shares this vast, confusing land. Bravo, The Mondavi Gang!
The Mondavi Gang: They Told You So
charlesmichaels5817 September 2010
Among the cardinal rules to remember at your next party: Smile, be sociable and talk plenty. Keep the convo light and airy. Discuss movies or music only. Skip religion (of course) and as for politics —don't go there either. But here's a movie that's about a party filled with a cast that talks about nothing but politics. Which is why "The Mondavi Gang" is quite the dare.
David Morwick (Little Erin Merryweather) and Lalesha Railsback (daughter of actor Steve Railsback) co-direct a powerful twist on archetypal political discourse. In "Mondavi", Democrats go after each other at least as much as they fight Republicans. But pay attention: Even the throwaway lines are memorable, along with the roll call of references to TV pundits (Pat Buchanan, Joan Walsh, et al). Morwick's script so strikingly foreshadows the missteps of the Obama administration that it's almost eerily psychic. Add spot-on performances, a caustic reference to sexist comments by Chris (Tingle-Up-My-Leg) Matthews and a conclusion that includes a near fistfight that disintegrates hilariously into a cake fight, and somewhere in-between you'll find something in "Mondavi" you hardly ever see on the 24-hour news cycle — smart, snarky, passionate political theater.
David Morwick (Little Erin Merryweather) and Lalesha Railsback (daughter of actor Steve Railsback) co-direct a powerful twist on archetypal political discourse. In "Mondavi", Democrats go after each other at least as much as they fight Republicans. But pay attention: Even the throwaway lines are memorable, along with the roll call of references to TV pundits (Pat Buchanan, Joan Walsh, et al). Morwick's script so strikingly foreshadows the missteps of the Obama administration that it's almost eerily psychic. Add spot-on performances, a caustic reference to sexist comments by Chris (Tingle-Up-My-Leg) Matthews and a conclusion that includes a near fistfight that disintegrates hilariously into a cake fight, and somewhere in-between you'll find something in "Mondavi" you hardly ever see on the 24-hour news cycle — smart, snarky, passionate political theater.
Thoughtful commentary on American politics
petermbracke13 December 2009
Warning: Spoilers
With the current state of short-film cinema a wasteland of vapid vanity pieces or glorified music videos, 'The Mondavi Gang' is a breath of fresh air -- a smart, vibrant, well-written and sometimes (justifiably) angry polemic. Writer-star David Morwick, along with co-director LaLesha Railsback, have fashioned a surprisingly venomous piece lashing out against sexism and hypocrisy in our current political landscape, on both the right and left. Unlike most films with a political bent, writer Morwick appears to have no distinct party affiliation or hidden agenda, but rather takes aim at how blind allegiance often blurs our ability to think rationally and consistently about the issues.
Though cinematically economical (the film can't quite surmount the "talking head" dilemma of four-folks-around-a-dinner table), the scenario of a dinner party between four friends of varying political bents makes great grist for well-tuned dialogue. Morwick and actor Brandon Johnson in particular tear into their roles, with their back-and-forth bickering at one point reaching such a violent crescendo that the uneasy laughter mingles with near- hysterics. We can all recognize ourselves in these characters, good and bad -- our informed positions as well as our prejudices. 'The Mondavi Gang' may make some viewers uncomfortable, but at least here we have a short that does more than just serve as a calling card for ambitious filmmakers. It challenges us to engage and think.
Though cinematically economical (the film can't quite surmount the "talking head" dilemma of four-folks-around-a-dinner table), the scenario of a dinner party between four friends of varying political bents makes great grist for well-tuned dialogue. Morwick and actor Brandon Johnson in particular tear into their roles, with their back-and-forth bickering at one point reaching such a violent crescendo that the uneasy laughter mingles with near- hysterics. We can all recognize ourselves in these characters, good and bad -- our informed positions as well as our prejudices. 'The Mondavi Gang' may make some viewers uncomfortable, but at least here we have a short that does more than just serve as a calling card for ambitious filmmakers. It challenges us to engage and think.
Wow! This is powerful!
cranstonmelanie1 November 2010
Given the big election is coming up, I just watched this again. When I saw The Mondavi Gang in the theater the first time, I was blown away by the performances. Railsback, Morwick, Arnold and Johnson are excellent, like watching 4 great actors doing live theater and really going at it.
Morwick also wrote the script, and his dialogue has a powerful punch. It really crackles!! This movie says what a lot of us think, but are afraid to say; women need to watch this since it takes on sexism, front and center.
I saw this twice at the two biggest women's film festivals in California and it got a great reception. It's the first time I remember people clapping in the middle of a film at a festival. It happened with the line, "until we realize we women are held to a double standard, then we're never going to get the biggest prize, whether we're V.P. or President." Along with every woman in the audience, I cheered!! This really was quite the feminist statement. So I've got to give special credit to a man for writing it, along with LaLesha Railsback for producing and co-directing.
Morwick also wrote the script, and his dialogue has a powerful punch. It really crackles!! This movie says what a lot of us think, but are afraid to say; women need to watch this since it takes on sexism, front and center.
I saw this twice at the two biggest women's film festivals in California and it got a great reception. It's the first time I remember people clapping in the middle of a film at a festival. It happened with the line, "until we realize we women are held to a double standard, then we're never going to get the biggest prize, whether we're V.P. or President." Along with every woman in the audience, I cheered!! This really was quite the feminist statement. So I've got to give special credit to a man for writing it, along with LaLesha Railsback for producing and co-directing.
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