Gravy (2015) | Film Review

There is an unheralded beauty to being a film critic that is the primary reason we all pontificate exhaustingly about the latest releases the way we do, and it’s what I call ‘The Pearl’. When we stumble across that little diamond in the rough, that tiny gem lost amidst a sea of suck, and we are then presented with the rare occasion to open up a film-buff’s mind to something unusual. A film that is either too small, odd, oblique, or unique to garner mentions in the popular trade magazines or social groups, yet the impact overwhelms you just the same. We are blessed with the opportunity to deliver the word to the masses, to sing the message that YES, America, this is the pearl you’ve been searching for! For me, “Gravy” is one such gem. Allow me to elaborate, as I also dole out as many food analogies as the law will allow.

When I tell you that “Gravy” revolves around a trio of criminals (Jimmi Simpson, Michael Weston, and Lily Cole) who hijack a Mexican cantina and its patrons on All Hallow’s Eve, weld the doors shut, and plan an impassioned night of torture and cannibalism – well, half of you are probably wondering what the hell is wrong with me. When I further add that, despite the horrific setting and gratuitous blood-letting that is about to ensue, this is primarily a comedy – my guess is I’ve lost the other half.

Like you, I was skeptical. As much as I am a fan of actor-turned-writer/director, James Roday (Psych), “Gravy” is as far from Santa Barbara as he could possibly get in his feature directorial debut. The first 20 minutes are a delightfully confusing mish-mash of styles and tones as we, the audience, are forced to place our own expectations on simmer and just settle in for the delicacy Roday and writing partner Todd Harthan have in store for us. Once the table is set, the film unfolds as a 7-course serving of decadence where even our despicable connoisseurs are too engaging to fully root against. Who would possibly have the audacity to make a trio of sadistic cannibals this damn fun to watch?

As ravenous brothers Anson and Stef, Weston and Simpson pun and quip their way through the screenplay with unabashed enthusiasm, clearly relishing the chance to escape their typically supporting role statuses to chew the scenery in a much larger scope. Simpson is the visually illustrative leader, savoring every line as though it were his personal symphony as he instructs the chef on his creative preparation. Meanwhile, Weston does his best Charlie Day meets Woody Allen, dispatching victims with whimsy as he ponders about that dreamy brunette he met hours prior. The two actors combine to create more than carnivore caricatures, these are characters.

As disturbed as the two siblings are, they are nothing compared to the mentally deranged Mimi. Lily Cole’s Mimi sees their game and ups the ante by one bat-shit loon with the face of an angel. Every time Mimi slinks her way into frame, seemingly embracing the mantra of her cat costume by playfully toying with her food, you can almost guarantee something is about to go horribly awry. While we dance vicariously close to wanting Anson and Stef to escape unscathed from this madness, Mimi becomes the most entrancing character on screen. Through her sheer audacity to showcase her malicious intentions in the vilest manner possible, she instantly ascends to become that one character we absolutely love to hate.

Sutton Foster does an admirable job playing hero and refusing to succumb to her role as appetizer, and while the remaining cast members in this recipe (Paul Rodriguez, Sarah Silverman, and Gabourney Sidibe among others) are each fully committed to the blatant absurdity of the premise, it is our main trio that keeps this meal train on the tracks.

That’s not to say this is for everyone. It’s absolutely not. This is a movie for those fans with a sardonic sense of humor and a taste for the wicked. “Gravy” will undoubtedly lead to one of those charged social media debates about the merits of cannibalistic comedies, how “Eating Raoul” is the bee’s knees, and inevitably force someone to toss out a random, ‘You just don’t get it!’ for good measure.

I NEED more films like this in my life, movies that just aim for the fences and spits in the face of cinematic common sense and good taste. Flicks like “Gravy” are a rare dish, and I am ecstatic that I can now share my excitement for this savory pearl of filmmaking with each of you. For everyone who says they want something different in the world of horror, cast your trepidations aside and take a bite.

This “Gravy” is delicious.

Aaron Peterson
The Hollywood Outsider