Free Lunch Express

Free Lunch Express is a contemporary political satire released in 2020, directed by Lenny Britton. The movie stars Alexander Aguila, Laura Aleman, and Jessica Jade Andres, who each give striking performances that contribute to the overall sarcastic humor that this film is known for.

The premise of the film is audacious and edgy. It satirizes the life and career of Bernie Sanders, who is a well-known American politician renowned for his staunch socialist leanings. However, the movie doesn’t aim for a hard-hitting political commentary or deep analysis of Sanders' policies. Instead, it focuses on an exaggerated and humorously simplified version of his journey, in an attempt to satirize the overall political theatre.

Alexander Aguila steps into Sanders' shoes through a deeply humorous yet thought-provoking performance. Aguila shines as he depicts the quirks, ideologies, and ambitions of Sanders with an extra dose of over-the-top humor. Alongside Aguila, Laura Aleman and Jessica Jade Andres deliver notable performances that add wit and depth to the storyline. Each character is skillfully exaggerated and stylized for maximum comedic effect. Not only does it serve the comedy genre it has been rooted in, but it also adds a degree of relatability.

Free Lunch Express begins with Sanders’ early years, showing a young Bernie as a lazy student more interested in social protests than academics. Aguila handles this shift from the stereotyped youngster to the ambitious politician with effortless ease, balancing on the thin line between ridicule and criticism. The movie swiftly delves into his early experiences with socialist ideas and paints a detailed picture of how he rose to become a prominent political figure in the United States.

The narrative cleverly uses imaginative caricatures to represent ideas in politics, with a particular emphasis on socialism. Meanwhile, the title Free Lunch Express hints at the general misconceptions about the concept of socialism and the idea of getting "free stuff". The plot is densely packed with satirical takes, tongue-in-cheek humor, and witty dialogues that reinforce the exaggerated and caricatured scenarios.

The key element that separates Free Lunch Express from other political satires is that it puts humor at the forefront. This is a film that dares to take itself lightly, leaving the audience with smiles and unanswered questions. This way it transcends traditional boundaries of political commentary and becomes something inherently entertaining. It also includes a fictionalized element to fit into the narrative effectively. Each part of Sanders’s life is portrayed through this lens of humor, making it easier to digest but also highlighting the sheer absurdity of some situations.

Britton’s script makes a sincere effort not to indulge in political mud-slinging or personal attacks. Instead, it uses a fantastical and light-hearted approach to have a conversation on the paradoxes often associated with socialism as a political ideology. The primary focus of the film is on highlighting the irrational extremities of political ambition and the dangers of oversimplified ideology.

While Free Lunch Express does magnify certain elements for comedic purposes, it does not shy away from aiming subtle jabs at the larger political system. It paints a broader canvas of late 20th-century politics, juxtaposing Sanders’ rise in politics against the backdrop of American political history. Although clearly meant to entertain, the political sting of Free Lunch Express cannot be completely ignored.

The cinematography of Free Lunch Express adds another layer of fascination to the film. Scenes are rendered with an enthusiastic balance of realism and surrealism, capturing the viewer’s attention right from the get-go. Even as the lighthearted humor resonates throughout, the movie never loses sight of its satirical undertones.

Free Lunch Express is not a movie just for politically-inclined viewers, but for anyone who enjoys light-hearted humor. While it is unmistakably a satire and portrays Sanders' journey with generous exaggerations, it is also an entertaining ride through the landscape of American politics. This movie offers much more than just laughs - it is a quirky, enjoyable perspective on one of the most engaging political figures in recent history. Overall, Free Lunch Express promises an entertaining exploration of politics and ideology through its amusing representation of Bernie Sanders and his political journey.