Motivational Growth

Motivational Growth from 2013 is an offbeat blend of dark comedy, surrealism, and psychological thriller directed by Don Thacker. This indie film features performances from Jeffrey Combs, Adrian DiGiovanni, and Danielle Doetsch - that provide a refreshingly unconventional take on the theme of self-discovery infused with a layer of surrealism and hand drawn animation.

The story hinges on Ian Folivor, a depressed and reclusive man in his thirties who has not left his apartment in over a year-and-a-half brought to life by Adrian DiGiovanni's impressive performance. Ian's life is filled with monotony and despair, and the only company he keeps are the infomercials on his outdated television, which has also become his best friend, until it dies abruptly. Left without his only source of interaction and distraction, Ian decides to commit suicide in a moment of grim desperation. Incongruously, his suicide attempt itself fails, and he falls unconscious in his bathroom.

This is where the heavily metaphorical narrative kicks in with the introduction of an unexpected character— a talking mold growth in the filth-saturated corner of his bathroom. This bizarre, foul anomaly voiced by Jeffrey Combs, named The Mold, promises to guide Ian back to the path of survival and success. The Mold, boasting an oddly sophisticated personality with a certain finesse, provides strange motivation techniques and complex philosophies, interlacing the narrative with eerie surrealism. The question arises, is The Mold a reality, or is it a figment of an agoraphobic's frustrated and murky subconscious?

As Ian’s relationship with the Mold deepens, peculiar events begin to transpire inside his never left apartment, giving the viewers a taste of fantasy, mystery and, dark comedy. Danielle Doetsch, who plays Leah, presents an eccentric character, adding to the complex narratives, and complicating Ian’s life in ways he never envisioned.

Critically, Motivational Growth walks a fine line between a toilet humor-filled dark comedy and an evocative art film. You're left to interpret many of its unusual plot developments and constantly questioning the reliability of Ian's perspective. This forms a fundamental part of the film’s appeal, a puzzle to be solved - Who or what, exactly, is The Mold? Is it really talking, or is it a hallucination? Is it helping Ian or leading him further down a dark rabbit hole?

Furthermore, the film's production is of particular note. Despite being set entirely in a small, grimy apartment, cinematographer Benjamin Bergstedt creatively utilizes a variety of shots, angles, and lighting techniques to keep the presentation visually engaging. Also notable is the score, a chiptune-infused soundtrack composed by Alex Mauer that helps establish the film's distinct mood and nostalgic overtones for the 8-bit era of video games.

Moreover, the use of animation in some parts adds another layer of eccentricity to this highly unusual film. The imaginative visual metaphors and surreal narrative slips often into the realm of the absurd but maintains a grim undertone that keeps you questioning your reality.

This eccentric jewel is undoubtedly for someone looking for a unique, surreal, and profoundly atypical cinematic experience. Its mix of courtly dark humor and grim outlook on life gets you hooked and leaves you contemplating on several levels. From amorphous sentient molds promising life improvement to dry wit and philosophical rants coupled with noir aesthetics, Motivational Growth is a film that skewers common self-help philosophies, while offering a particularly distinctive brand of bizarre escapism.

Regardless of how you interpret the film, it undeniably leaves a lasting impression through its originality and challenging narrative. It's a peculiar, thought-provoking piece of indie cinema that showcases director Don Thacker's creative ingenuity. Whether you view this film as a metaphorical commentary on isolation, depression, and the human psyche's capacity for delusion or simply as a distinctive, humor-laden romp through the absurd, Motivational Growth offers a refreshingly off-kilter cinematic experience.

In summary, Motivational Growth is a darkly comedic, surreal, and perverse tale of a man, a mold, the complex maze of the human mind... and the television, producing a bizarre, unsanitized, and wholly unique viewing experience.