Blending genres is not an easy task. Putting too much humour into a serious film can emphatically ruin it. With this in mind, creators that can do it successfully are able to create truly special stories. Directed by Daniel Scheinert, The Death of Dick Long is a movie that, for the most part, successfully fuses black comedy with drama, resulting in an unquestionably wild ride.
After a crazy night causes their friend to lose his life, Zeke and Earl must stumble their way through the day that follows, as they clumsily try to hide an ever-unfolding mystery. Michael Abbott Jr. and Andre Hyland are the dysfunctional leads, supported by Virginia Newcomb, Sarah Baker, Janelle Cochrane and Poppy Cunningham.
By taking a dark situation and presenting it with levity, this film manages to envoke laughter in one scene and utter shock in the next. Filled with characters that are both likeable and offputting, the 100-minute runtime communicates its risky narrative efficiently. As each twist and turn is revealed, many viewers will certainly be invested in the events playing out. Black comedy is a main genre of this picture, so it must be noted that the jokes displayed might not be received favourably by everyone. Furthermore, the story isn’t afraid to get weird, so don’t expect this to be a family-friendly affair. Whether or not these elements work is entirely up to the individual watching, but those accepting of a light-hearted slant on despondent circumstances will likely appreciate this utterly intriguing approach.
Each actor plays their characters really well, maximising the clearly limited budget. This is a movie focused on people, and the filmmakers behind it have been able to use this focal point to build the many qualities mentioned before. Daniel Scheinert has a strong grasp on his craft, offering us well-made results. While there are some pacing issues in the final act, the majority of the direction seen here is noticeably good. The score is serviceable too but a special mention must be made to the choice of existing songs that are used (especially that which plays in the credits). Surprisingly, mid-2000s alternative rock is the perfect backdrop for the peculiar environment of this story.
The Death of Dick Long is a fantastic example of impressive genre-blending. Able to convey real drama by employing dark humour, many are going to thoroughly enjoy this cinematic release. Perhaps not for everyone, there is little doubt that the movie has been constructed rather effectively. At the very least, this is not a film that will soon be forgotten.