When Jesse David Ing‘s Andy Somebody began, I wasn’t sure what to think. Bad acting with a poor footing to start, it seemed the film was doomed before it had even begun. Yet, as the film settles into itself, embracing the quirky corners it harnesses so well, Andy Somebody becomes a surprise success that will leave you intrigued for more.
From Nobody to Somebody
Andy Somebody opens on our central protagonist Andy (Jeremy M. Evans) as he is currently undergoing what appears to be a mental breakdown in his car. There is no context given to his emotional outburst, only an awkward ending as he realizes a young girl is watching. Though she is not the only one keeping an eye on Andy and the place he works. We are quickly introduced to Detective Mount (Peter Fluet) and Detective Mercer (David Forseth) begrudgingly staking out the private practice of corrupt plastic surgeon Dr. Shifflett (Jonathan Buckley) and those who work for him.
The FBI agents are the first dose of bad acting and awkward inclusion the film delivers to the audience. Honestly, it was this pair that had me nervous for the entirety of the film that still had to follow. Yet, as Andy Somebody unravels as a whole, this pair of wayward agents opens to a sense of quirky randomness that cushions both the humor and the action of the film. Albeit predictable at times, their inclusion throughout the film delivers a Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright feeling that is shared with the rest of the ensemble and narrative construction.
As we move from the parking lot to inside the office, we come to understand the context of Andy’s breakdown as we meet Dr. Shifflett, his henchman Gene (Jacob Bruce), and his current love interest receptionist Darcie (Nicole I. Butler). As we witness the toxicity surrounding Andy and the pressure he is under to fake the numbers and set up fraudulent accounts, we as an audience further come to understand his decision to rob Dr. Shifflett of three million dollars, fleeing to LA in an upbeat and ecstatic fashion that will leave you rooting for Andy.
Quirky Ensemble
As the narrative unfolds, many times, it feels disjointed, lacking cohesiveness. Yet it is this randomness of intertwining stories that build the film’s cohesion and investment. The decisions of one character ripple out affecting others, even in just a moment of passing. Honestly, it delivers a comedic menagerie of character and possibilities that grows into a desire for more. And Andy Something refuses to hold back in its attempts to be unique, awkward, and comedically crafty.
And as quirky as it is, it is also absurd. At first out of place, it becomes wholesomely fulfilling. Audiences will love the innocence of Bishop as he attempts to fulfill his role as a hired brute, Tim Parish balancing perfectly the weight of a debt owed and the purity that runs through him. Jacob Bruce‘s Gene too will surprise audiences, becoming a standout in the film. Bruce gives Gene a quirkiness in the depth he is able to achieve that not only matches the aspirations of the film but elevates them. A shout out to the creative mind behind Gene’s wardrobe, from the knitted sweater to the doubled glasses, Gene truly is the film’s star. Jeremy M. Evans‘ Andy and Jonathan Buckley‘s Shifflett both harness the extremes of each of their characters. From the corrupt to the pure of heart, they commit completely to their characters, giving not only each of them authenticity but build to an epic showdown.
While many of the female characters in Andy Somebody feel included purely as comedic and narrative devices, Becky Wu‘s Becky is the only member of the female cast that feels developed and flushed out. Where her initial introduction follows the film’s vibrant sense of randomness, she is given a full arch within the story – one that works to give a taste for a sequel.
Conclusion:
In its entirety, Andy Somebody is a raunchy, quirky fun time. And while it is not without its faults, even these mishaps add to the charm of Andy and his rag-tag band of somebodies. Each fault, absurdity, and moment of randomness works to enrich the film, at first out of place and uncertain, but wholesomely fulfilling. And by the film’s end, you will find yourself wanting more.
Andy Somebody was released on VOD on April 18, 2023!
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