Our lead, played by Mr. Duke himself, has just has his TV series cancelled. Like many who suffer this fate, he hated being on the show, but didn't actually want to lose the job. The short looks at the role the 'average' guy in modern LA, not to mention about the weird uncle everyone has who is all about hook ups and who has no idea about the world... and about terrible improv. Clark plays his role with remarkable restraint, but at the same time, he's in the middle of a world that is whacky and weird, and a little bit morally ambiguous. The way it plays out is so smart, and the cameos by so many phenomenal actors (Erin Hayes is my favorite!) along with the over-the-top but somehow completely recognisably real performance of Steven Weber, all combine to make this one of my favorite comedies in ages!
The production values? Top notch, with the editing being subtle, the sound design remarkably intelligent, and the shooting not only clean, but decidedly fluid. It's not a film that relies on its visuals as much as the script, but it does work with them in an intelligent way, which allows all of it to land and land hard.
I will also note that this one has something many other shorts don't - an appearance by Robert Wuhl. Seriously, if there is a Cooperstown for amazing actors who can deliver a line with perfect timing and even better misdirection, it is names the Robert Wuhl Goodly Actors Hall of Fame and Family Restaurant. Seriously, he delivers the set-up line to the entire short, both for the plot and the meaning, and he does it in a way that makes us question what we were expecting. It's perfect, and though he only shows up very briefly, he's great!
In an unrelated note - I've read that Clark is a big fan of 'rasslin' and Pro Wrestling Guerilla. I will try my best to not pepper him with questions about Battle for Los Angeles and what he thought of the Five Star Six Man match last year!
Show Business shows with the feature The Twinning Reaction and debuts at Century 20 Redwood City - on Sat, Mar 4 3:30 PM.