Six Ways to Sunday

Out from the dark, comedic backdrop of Six Ways to Sunday, we encounter the twisted coming-of-age story of Harry Odum, an impressionable young man with an oft-overlooked capacity for violence. This 1997 independent drama, by director Adam Bernstein, sees Norman Reedus inherit the role of Harry, a character delicately entwined in the malevolent undergrowth of organized crime.

Harry resides with his melodramatically maternal mother, Kate Odum, played by music icon Debbie Harry, in an oppressively quaint house in a rundown corner of Youngstown, Ohio. Together, they form an oddly dysfunctional duo, stumbling through a life that revolves around bickering, dependency, and an worryingly exaggerated Oedipus Complex. However, with the bitter force of reality dickering at the edges, Harry’s world changes drastically.

He clumsily trips into the gaping maw of the Jewish mafia, commencing his unforeseen journey into the frenzied world of organized crime. Reedus depicts quite brilliantly, the unanticipated transformation of Harry - the innocent, subservient son, into Harry - the cunning, fearless enforcer. How a seemingly naïve young man manages to find his foothold amidst chaos forms the crux of the movie.

Contradictorily to his previously innocent character, Harry discovers an uncanny knack for brutality, quickly earning him a reputation amongst the underground community. His impromptu entry and meteoric rise in the world of mafia has enough surprises to keep the audience engaged. Yet, underneath it all, is the constant question of whether Harry is genuinely morphing into the cold-hearted mobster, or whether he’s simply a simple man, led astray by the unusual circumstances that life threw his way.

Adrien Brody, another distinguished name on the roster, takes on the supporting role of Arnie Finklestein. Brody plays an ambitious street hustler, whose friendship with Harry becomes a turning point in both their lives. Finklestein, witnessing Harry’s deadly potential, brings him into the mafia, rooting for his radical ascent through the ranks. This perverse mentoring and their evolving relationship forms an integral subplot to the main narrative.

Coexisting with Harry's troubling journey into organized crime are his complex relationships, especially with his overbearing mother, Kate. Debbie Harry provides a near-perfect balance of flamboyance and melodrama, helping to illustrate the unnerving bond between a mother and son. This twisted dynamic adds an unnerving depth to an already convoluted narrative making this film an intriguing dark comedy.

Yet, despite the façade of violent power-play and twisted maternal ties in Six Ways to Sunday, there lies an undercurrent of tragic beauty. It slickly paints a picture of a small-town boy grappling with his own identity and morality within a world that’s simultaneously fascinating and horrifying. Bernstein delicately teases out this raw human emotion, adding a surprisingly poignant touch to this crime-drama.

While the film digs into a labyrinth of violence, power, and criminal undertones, it is equally layered with elements of dark humor and pathos. It underlines, in an unconventional and almost unintentional sense, the drudgery and banality every life, however extraordinary from the outside, is intertwined with. It gives an absurd peek into the criminal underworld, but beyond the grim and the dread that it initially suggests, it subtly prods at the paradox of human nature and tells a riveting tale of transformation.

Visually, Six Ways to Sunday is an ode to the Nineties independent cinema, characterized by a raw, gritty aesthetic that complements the sinister yet quirky tone of the narrative. The film’s dramatic soundscape lends an engaging influence, immersing viewers deeper into Harry's eerie universe.

In essence, Six Ways to Sunday remains an exceptional filmography featuring the special talents of Norman Reedus, Debbie Harry, and Adrien Brody. Through its unique storytelling and characterized performances, the film resonates in the mind of the audience, challenging their perspectives in a most profound and unexpected manner, long after the credits have rolled.