By: Addison Wylie

Steven Kostanski is a gifted filmmaker who can effortlessly emulate styles and fads of the past.  But for as resourceful and accurate as he is, Kostanski has a habit of working in reverse; placing more attention on the final product rather than thinking about who his work should be geared towards.  However, Kostanski’s recent sci-fi/buddy comedy Psycho Goreman suggested that the writer/director was considering his viewers more.  His latest indie Frankie Freako, a throwback with similar notes of humour and fantasy, further reassures this theory.

After being criticized for being too bland, workaholic Conor (Conor Sweeney, co-writer/co-director of homer_a and homer_b) decides to unwind by dialing a hotline that’s often advertised on late-night television.  The commercial doesn’t advertise adultery, but rather a non-stop mobile party thrown by an intimidating ghoul named Frankie Freako.  The phone call leads to a wild night and a messier morning, and Frankie and his gang are not leaving anytime soon.

Frankie Freako is such a joy because it isn’t merely an homage to weird creations like The Garbage Pail Kids Movie or My Pet Monster.  Instead, it amusingly exploits an immature attitude from the 1990s encouraging rambunctious kids to rebel against their “lame” parents in silly and gross ways.  Frankie and his cronies are perfect avatars: constantly guzzling cans of Fart Soda, writing “Butt” all over the walls of Conor’s pristine house, and breaking expensive sculptures.  The puppetry and designs of Frankie and his posse are somehow stiff and rubbery, which creates some funny visuals (much like the marionettes in Team America: World Police).  The plot, flowing through a small series of adventures, is structured like a warped version of Dr. Seuss’ The Cat in the Hat;  even being so brazen enough to tip its cap towards the unhinged 2003 live action adaptation of Seuss’ children’s book.

Frankie Freako mines for nostalgia in the psyche of the viewer’s inner child which is arguably more challenging for the production.  Kostanski and company take on the task of finding memorable parallels between what they remember from their childhoods and what the audience will, hopefully, relate to.  The added aesthetic of making the movie look like an old commercial for a family restaurant or a new toy for Christmas is just one of the many deliberate choices that pays off.  Another inspired choice is allowing Conor to be the audience’s perspective rather than being too on-the-nose by casting a precocious child actor.  Although, the character has definitely been drawn from a kid’s not-so-affectionate view of their parents.  This angle offers a fresh take on creative material, and allows Sweeney’s hilarious portrayal of a pencil-pushing schmuck to soar.

Surprisingly enough, despite the deliciously goopy effects being of an acquired taste, Frankie Freako is a fairly wholesome flick;  opening the film up to an audience of all-ages – a family film for sickos.

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Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie