Live Free or Die

In the 2006 Indie crime-comedy film "Live Free or Die," directed by Gregg Kavet and Andy Robin, Aaron Stanford, Paul Schneider, and Judah Friedlander lead us into a slapstick comedy blended with crime and an elegantly crafted coming-of-age saga set in rural New Hampshire. The film's title implicitly connotes the official motto of the state of New Hampshire, which is derived from a quote by Revolutionary War hero General John Stark.

The movie showcases the story of John "Rugged" Rudgate (Aaron Stanford), who bears a self-created, over-the-top tough guy image of a hard-hitting, ruthless criminal mastermind. However, in reality, Rugged is just a small-time crook making a living through petty thefts, phony schemes, and selling stolen merchandise. He boasts proudly of his criminal exploits that don’t exist, believing in the myth of his criminal prowess he has conjured up in his own head. It is this bogus reputation which forms the center of his persona creating many comical situations throughout the film.

Aaron Stanford’s character, Rugged, crosses paths with Lagrand (Paul Schneider), a simple-minded yet naive old friend from high school who's aspiring to transform his life by establishing a business of selling homemade tie-dye shirts out of his deceased parents' house. Rugged sees an opportunity for expansion of his grandiose criminal empire in Lagrand and manipulates him to join his bandwagon of petty crime, promising him monetary success.

Adding to the ensemble is the impeccable character of the dedicated local cop, Jeff Lagrand (Judah Friedlander), who is Lagrand's elder brother. Believing the pair to be major criminals, he begins to investigate their crimes with an earnest diligence that provides much of the comic relief.

The movie develops into a pseudo-crime thriller, filled with comedic events involving weapon trafficking and an ill-planned heist which only further exposes Rugged's incompetence as a criminal. Despite all their trouble, Rugged's machinations keep them always one step ahead of the well-meaning yet dumbstruck police force. It’s a humorous look at a small town where everyone knows everyone, and word of mouth can quickly turn a normal man into a notorious criminal and vice versa.

One of the film's key strengths lies in its characters who are attractively absurd in their practices—be it Rugged's inflated self-image or Lagrand's obsession with tie-dye shirts. Although they are colorful, the characters feel real, thanks to uncomplicated and honest performances from the cast, particularly Aaron Stanford who creates a memorable character in Rugged.

Moreover, the film offers a precise snapshot of life in small-town America, with its empty streets, idiosyncratic local businesses and the intricacies of petty, neighborhood disputes. It’s the film’s ability to take something simple and exaggerate it for comic effect that drives its charm. As a comedy of errors where the errors become increasingly outlandish yet seem grounded in reality, Live Free or Die is nothing if not unpredictable.

The unique juxtaposition of the innocuous with the deadly, the ridiculous with the grounded, is done with an excellent control over the material by directors Gregg Kavet and Andy Robin. Together they paint a picture of a frozen place in time where the only revolutionary currents are caused by a small-time crook and his impoverished, doltish friend.

In conclusion, "Live Free or Die" is a comically charming crime movie that celebrates characters on the fringe of society. For those who enjoy crime comedies with interesting characters and a leisurely unfolding narrative that keeps you guessing, this film invites you for a whimsical ride through small-scale criminality. Evaluated as a whole, this film is a well-executed dark comedy with crime elements that entertains as well as engages you with its high-octane laughter and unique storytelling.