Septien

An acclaimed selection of the Sundance Film Festival in 2011, Septien is an independent, darkly comedic movie that testifies to eccentricities and how they delineate personalities. Directed by Michael Tully, the movie revolves around a reclusive sports hustler, Cornelius Rawlings, who returned to his family's Tennessee farm eighteen years after mysteriously disappearing, without any explanation where he has been. Tully, apart from directing, also plays the lead character of Rawlings, embellishing the film with his unique acting style. Rawlings returns to a homestead dramatically different yet, somehow reminiscent of what he left behind.

On his return, Rawlings is confronted with the peculiarities of his two brothers, Ezra (played by Robert Longstreet) and Amos (played by Onur Tukel). Ezra, the caretaker of the farm ever since Cornelius's disappearance, has assumed a seemingly matronly role, often seen in an apron cooking for his brother and cleaning around. Depicting a character whose emotional displacement fuels his eccentricities, Longstreet’s portrayal of Ezra is understandingly complex, fabricating depth within a character who dwells in the loneliness left behind by Rawlings.

On the other hand, Amos channels his energies into a darkly humorous form of Séances-themed artwork in the barn. Expertly played by Onur Tukel, Amos sets off the main theme of the movie - creed and the inconsistent application of it. Behind the veil of emblematic artwork, Amos is entrenched in the rejection of societal values and conventions, descending deeper into his peculiarities.

However, the oddities of the Rawlings brothers do not stop there. Cornelius is revealed as a formidable local sports hustler, challenging locals to score points off him in a variety of games, such as tennis, basketball, and baseball, in return for money. This unusual choice of occupation hints at the unresolved tensions in him and adds dimensions to the already rich tapestry of his character.

A subplot involving a feisty plumber (played by the talented Rachel Korine) and a suspicious preacher (John Maringouin) punctuates the narrative with external perspectives into the reclusiveness of the Rawlings. The skillful performances by Korine and Maringouin both add a layer of grounding reality to contrast with the Rawlings brothers' unconventional lifestyle. The presence of the preacher brings an air of mystery and intensified curiosity, perhaps personifying the constant question of religion that dwells in the undercurrents of the movie.

Septien, with its quirky, uncanny characters, paints a fascinating picture of rural Tennessee. This lends the film an appealing authenticity and a sense of place crucial to understanding the characters' eccentricities. The cinematography complements the narrative by capturing the raw rural landscape that pulsates with an energy parallel to its characters.

Drawn together, Septien is a mesmerizing fusion of comedy and drama, brimming with enough oddities to make it a memorable watch. Laden with gothic themes and disguised spirituality, the film unrolls like a haunting tableau of haunted and affecting characters. The film doesn't shy away from the dark corners of the American South or its characters, mixing humor and melancholia in equal measure.

In portraying a distinct style of storytelling that is grotesque yet grounded in realism, Director Michael Tully deftly laces the narrative of Septien with melancholic undertones that speak volumes on solitude, brotherhood, and redemption. Steering clear of traditional tropes, the characters are forefronted with bizarre eccentricities, pushing the envelope on the representations of masculinity and familial relationships.

Through its seemingly surreal characters, offbeat dialogues, and an unconventional plot, Septien underscores themes of familial love, alienation, trauma, and redemption. In essence, the film can be seen as a bizarre ode to human resilience. It certainly is a unique ride down an unlikely path, a must-watch for those who revel in films treading on the unconventional and the uncanny. To conclude, Septien winds up leaving its audiences with an aftertaste of existential reflection, enhancing the viewing experience to far more than merely watching a film. It is an experience, a thought-provoking piece of art that mocks and mirrors the society we live in, presented with the right combination of jest and gravity.