Review: GOD BLESS AMERICA

Frank: Joel Murray
Roxy: Tara Lynne Barr
Ava: Mackenzie Brooke Smith
Alison: Melinda Page Hamilton
Brad: Rich McDonald
Chloe: Maddie Hasson

Written & Directed by: Bobcat Goldthwait
Running Time: 104 minutes
Rated: R (for strong violence and language including some sexual sequences)

A few years ago when I checked out Bobcat Goldthwait’s last movie, a dark comedy called “World’s Greatest Dad” (which starred Robin Williams), I was impressed with the vision of Bobcat as a director. I remember when I finished watching that movie that I would not hesitate to watch the next film he brought to the big screen. A few years later, that next Bobcat movie is here titled “God Bless America”. This is Bobcat’s most controversial picture to date as its dark, sadistic and very righteous all at the same time. While the film is very violent and disturbing at times, there are moments when we can agree with the characters and why they are rebelling against a dumbed down society that has lost its ability to be civil. It’s a thought provoking film that at the same times acts on what many people wish they could do when the bump into people who are mean and hurtful to others. That kind of fantasy is enough to convince someone not take up two parking spots and to turn off your cell phone the next time you go to a movie. A film that not only criticizes society but itself as glorifies its characters

In ‘God Bless America’ we follow a middle aged man named Frank, performed perfectly by Joel Murray (Shameless, Dharma & Gregg). After learning that his ex-wife is about to remarry, Frank is fired from his job for something that seems a little too politically correct and the finds out later that same day that he has an inoperable brain tumour that will end his life sooner than later. Rather than take his own life, Frank is convinced to take his anger and frustration on the people he thinks truly deserve to die, going on a shooting spree of reality TV stars and hateful political pundits who spread fear on their shows.

Frank then finds himself the focus of an early admirer and confidant in a young sixteen year old girl named Roxy (Tara Lynne Barr) who shares Frank’s hatred for how the scum of the country were put on a pedestal and worshipped by countless TV viewers. As we watch this interesting duo go on their murderous road trip, we can’t help but root for them despite the fact what they’re really doing is wrong. We understand their frustration and relish their actions as a fun fantasy that is the brainchild of a very sadistic writer/director.

Possibly one of the best films of 2012 brought to us by Bobcat Goldthwait;
Stand up comic and that crazy dude from the Police Academy movies.

The amazing film from the mind of Bobcat Goldthwait (that crazy dude fro the Police Academy movies) while a wild and crazy film does offer enough food for thought while being thoroughly entertained by the blood and guts being spilled on screen. ‘God Bless America’ is a very harsh evaluation of where society is today and how out of hand pop culture and reality television is getting just to score some high ratings and a few extra bucks. The movie almost reminds me of Oliver Stone’s ‘Natural Born Killers’ but with more of a moral message and the dry wit one would expect from Office Space.

Another standout performance in the movie came from young actress Maddie Hasson (who plays Willow on Fox’s new show The Finder) as Chloe, the most spoiled brat on television who becomes Frank’s first target. As we watch Chloe’s repeated temper tantrums on Frank’s television, a little part of us doesn’t feel any remorse when Frank takes a gun and puts that spoiled brat into the ground. I’m sure many people have wished they could do that with a lot of crap that’s being spewed out on every network as ‘entertainment’. Frank acts out that fantasy, taking out as many as he can leading up to a grand finale that is both shocking and hilarious when it unfolds.

Joel Murrary and Tara Lynne Barr act out something we’ve all considered doing to a reality television show…

Director Bobcat has shown us here and in previous projects that he has a real gift for mixing up childishly dark humour with scenes that are sound and very dramatic. That talent is even more accomplished as ‘God Bless America’ is one of the funniest and thought provoking films I’ve seen all year. The cast is great, the scenes are funny and at the same time leave you with something to chew on months after watching it. If you enjoyed watching movies like ‘Natural Born Killers’ and even ‘Falling Down’ and at the same time have a deep rooted hatred for shows like American Idol and any show that stars someone named Kardashian, you will get a huge kick out of this movie and find it a very pleasing movie going experience. This film gives us a venue to peel back the many layers in our pop culture, analyzing the place of media propaganda, reality TV and even people who don’t behave themselves in movie theatres. It showcases what people consider entertainment these days for the cultural cancer that it really is and never apologizes for it. It’s hilarious and a film that leaves you thinking and wanting more. What more could you expect when seeing a movie? Bobcat has delivered a cinematic gem, check it out when it releases in select cities this weekend!

RATING: 9 (Out of 10)