Billboard

Billboard is a character-driven drama-comedy movie directed by Zeke Zelker and released in 2019. The film features Eric Roberts, Heather Matarazzo, Leo Fitzpatrick, and a host of other accomplished talents who all contribute to layering the narrative with intrigue, unexpected humor, and a meaningful character study.

The plot revolves around Casey Lindeweiler, played by John Robinson, who inherits his father's declining radio station, WTYT 960. Lindeweiler’s plight is a symbol for every person born into a failing business or an economic mess they didn't create, which adds a layer of reality to the film's storyline. Facing financial peril and desperate for a solution to keep his legacy alive, Casey devises an audacious marketing stunt to boost the listenership numbers of the station.

The gimmick? Casey organises a contest that would see a participant living on a billboard until he/she could guess the number between 1 and 960. The contestant can walk away with a mobile home and a "life-changing" amount of cash. This unconventional move thrusts Casey and his radio station into the national limelight, and quite literally drives the story in different directions, mainly through the lives of the four billboard dwellers. The contestants, a gaggle of eccentric personalities, each with their individual motivations and quirks, create comedic relief, light suspense, and layers of personal dramas.

The main cast shines throughout the movie, delivering nuanced performances with an air of relatability. Following in the footsteps of his father who played the legendary character ‘The Joker’, Eric Roberts, portraying the charismatic TV reporter Gavin Lance, leverages his on-screen time to contribute generously to the overall narrative, adding a layer of complexity to the plot, further thickened by the presence of Leo Fitzpatrick and Heather Matarazzo. John Robinson successfully plays Casey Lindeweiler, portraying the conflicts and challenges of inheriting a failing business with depth and subtlety.

A prominent trait of Billboard is its fantastic incorporation of the radio universe within the film. The use of music and radio broadcasts in the background, while characters navigate their circumstances, strikes a chord with the audiences' nostalgia for the golden age of radio. Moreover, filmmaker Zeke Zelker’s inventiveness shines forth in his use of different media platforms to narrate the story, blending it efficiently with the theme of the movie and to mirror the evolution of modern media.

Heather Matarazzo plays Alyssa Jones, a character who adds a dash of femininity and humanity to the radio station and the movie. Leo Fitzpatrick gives an impressive performance as Joe Miller, one of the four contestants in Casey’s radio contest, showcasing a portrayal of a layman with astute depth and understanding.

Shot in multiple locations, the movie benefits from the beautiful cinematography that depicts the feel and atmosphere of the radio station and its surrounding community. Excellent visuals contribute to augmenting the narrative and emotive impact of the film. It has a warm indie film vibe to it, with insightful dialogues, interesting cinematography, and well-placed music.

Billboard is more than just a comedy-drama; it’s a social commentary on the changing face of traditional media, the loss of community radio, and the lengths to which people will go to capture the elusive American dream. Despite the metaphorical and emotional gravity in the narrative, the film is not shy about incorporating humor and laughter, making it an engaging and impactful cinematic offering.

In essence, Billboard is a cleverly crafted independent film that succeeds in entertaining, engaging, and subtly educating its audience about the world of radio, the power of community, and the effects of corporate monopoly on local businesses. It’s a movie that crafts realism and authenticity, delivered via exceptional performances and a thought-provoking storyline. It’s worth watching for anyone seeking a mix of comedy, drama, and an introspective examination of small businesses in a corporate-dominated world.