Awful Nice

Awful Nice, released in 2013, is a quirky comedy film fortified with a strong cast including notably Zahn McClarnon, Christopher Meloni, and Laura Ramsey. The film is filled with offbeat humor and the eccentricities of its characters are as numerous as the complexities of their relationship. Rated R for some strong language and crude humor, Awful Nice is definitely not a family film, but an amusingly irreverent romp revolving around brotherhood, unveiling hidden truths, and the journey of self-discovery amidst the chaotic constructs of life.

Directed by Todd Sklar, the film sets its focus on the tumultuous relationship between two estranged brothers, brought to life by Alex Rennie and James Pumphrey. When their father passes away, the brothers are forced to reunite and mend their broken relationship, even as they wrestle with the farcical circumstances they find themselves in. Zahn McClarnon artfully depicts the lawyer set to oversee their inheritance, while Christopher Meloni adds more dimensions to the plot playing the goofy character of Jon Charbineau, a man with connections to their father's past. Laura Ramsey's character introduces a romantic angle and further explores the interpersonal dynamic among the characters.

The story takes off when the brothers must embark on an unexpected trip to Branson, Missouri, to claim their inheritance, their father's lake home. Suddenly thrust together after years of estrangement, the initial stiff atmosphere is charged with tension and unresolved issues. The comedic energy in Awful Nice never fades with the script continuously revolving through comic misunderstanding, absurd situations, and slapstick physical comedy to keep the audiences entertained while cleverly treading serious undertones of family and reconciliation.

Scored with a versatile and engaging soundtrack and shot on the colorful backdrops of Branson, Awful Nice paints a vivid and extraordinary picture of sibling relationships, offset with the roller coaster ride of unexpected silliness and whimsy. The movie celebrates a unique brand of comedy, where humor is infused in even the absurdities of life and is a constant presence, sometimes subtly hidden behind the outlandish actions of the characters, other times overtly slapped on the face with slapstick comedic sequences, crude jokes, and over-the-top character portrayals.

Each character in the film is distinctively etched out, including the supporting roles by Brett Gelman and Keeley Hazell, adding to the comic mayhem and amplifying the flick's charm. McClarnon, known for his roles in Fargo and Longmire, delivers a memorable performance as the lawyer with vested interest, quite in contrast to his more serious earlier roles. On the other hand, Meloni, popularly known from Law and Order: SVU, breaks the stereotype with a brilliant comedy display. Ramsey perfectly balances the humor with her role's emotional undertones.

Awful Nice might not be the run-of-the-mill comedy movie that you're used to, but its charm lies in the raw, volatile, and outrageous humor and sibling chemistry brought on-screen by Rennie and Pumphrey. It's a concoction of fraternal squabbles, pratfalls, bitter revelations, and sweet reconciliations all peppered with relentless comedy. Jokes come flying without warning in the midst of heated arguments, interrupted cognizance, and wild adventures.

Apart from its obvious humor value, the film also bravely confronts the themes of grief, healing, and the twisted road to reconciliation. Throughout the narrative, unexpected moments of poignancy crop up that tug at the heartstrings and humanize the ridiculous characters onscreen. Such thoughtful depth adds more substantive layers to the picture, proving that it's more than just a comedic endeavor.

In a nutshell, Awful Nice is a beautifully chaotic exploration of brotherhood, garnished with a heaping pile of comedy, dished out in the most unpredictable and engaging style. It's a joyful mess that wraps you in a bizarre conundrum of smiles and introspective rumination, making it a truly nice watch, albeit an 'awful' one. Todd Sklar's directorial ingenuity and the stellar performances of the cast, including McClarnon, Meloni, and Ramsey, help Awful Nice stand as an unforgettable experience in the realm of comedic cinema.