December 15, 2008
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Your mom is probably a tart.
Writer/director Shelli Ryan's 2008 dysfunctional family opus Jake's Closet isn't your typical, run-of-the-mill zombie flick. In fact, I'd be extremely hesitant to lump this thoughtful motion picture into the horror genre at all. Instead of utilizing the living dead for yet another painfully familiar exercise in flesh-munching madness, Ryan uses these iconic creatures as a means to express the trauma, the fear, and the unbridled horror that a messy divorce can inflict on a small, impressionable child. When Jake's mom and dad can no longer hide their venomous disdain for another, the two smartly decide to call it quits. The couple's problems, however, are far from over. As the two of them begin to adjust to the new lives they've haphazardly carved out for themselves, Jake, coincidentally, begins to suspect that there's a zombie living in his closet. Since both parents are too petty and self-absorbed to notice that their son is beginning to lose his mind, the little boy's fears quickly spiral out of control. The film's unconventional use of animated corpses and its admittedly abrupt conclusion may upset those hoping for something a bit more traditional, especially since the film ultimately leaves so many issues unresolved. Jake's Closet is as riveting as it is uncomfortable, powered by a handful of unexpected scares and several finely-tuned performances. Wholly unique and satisfying if you're in the market for something a little off the beaten path.
Recipe For Success: Anthony De Marco's Uncanny Acting Chops + Ryan's Refined Direction + Zombies Will Get You In Trouble
Kids Are Weird: Why do kids like to poke and prod at the busted guts of freshly deceased animals?
And why are they are in my backyard again?
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