Standards of Living

Standards of Living is an intriguing independent film that first graced movie-goers' screens in 2012. The movie is written and directed by Aaron Mento and features a diverse cast including Bill Ferris, Kevin M. Glover, Derek Houck, and Rolland Kiroloss. This film is noteworthy as it was notably shot using only an iPad, demonstrating expert utilization of new media technology within the film industry.

The plot revolves around Peter Sayer, an unsuccessful, down-on-his-luck comedian played by Scott Yarborough. Unable to land a decent performance gig, he resorts to performing low-rate gigs for unresponsive and detached audiences. His seemingly downhill career tracks him navigating the perils and pitfalls of all the common stand-up comedy clichés. For the viewers, it creates a palpable sense of empathy and closeness with the protagonist.

Engagingly portrayed by Derek Houck, Peter's endearing yet eccentric manager, Alex, proposes an unconventional solution to improve his stand-up act. Encouraging Peter to participate in a mystery seminar led by supposed famous magician named Herbert, played by Bill Ferris, Alex insinuates that this seminar would transform Peter's lackluster performance, taking it to new heights.

Standards of Living transforms from a raw, authentic depiction of a stand-up comedian's life into a surreal, intricately planned horror-comedy as Peter attends Herbert's seminar. Plunged into a deranged world where nothing is quite as it seems, we see the film morph into an experiential journey, merging reality and surreal elements in a Lynchian style. Kevin M. Glover and Rolland Kiroloss also deliver engaging performances in their roles, adding to the film's twisted enchantment.

As Herbert's true intentions begin to unravel, the movie takes on an eerie quality, chilling the viewers with terrifying revelations. This narrative shift transforms the film into a captivating horror-comedy that sucks the audience into a vortex of spine-chilling moments and well-timed humor.

Standards of Living powerfully encapsulates an uncanny atmosphere, woven with elements of comedic reality, horror, and the supernatural. Mento successfully creates an immersive ambiance that exponentially deepens as the story progresses. The meticulously planned narrative takes its audience on a harrowing journey, punctuated by an array of sinister and disconcerting moments.

This movie also uses its humor very cleverly and sparsely. Mento skillfully contrasts the spine-chilling moments with instances of biting wit and humor to give the audience brief moments of relief. The script's dark comedy compliments the film's ambivalent genre neatly. The humor does not force laughs but rather stems organically from the film's peculiar scenario, resulting in a unique comedic-horror experience.

Moreover, the movie manages to bring about a fresh perspective to the horror genre, combining scares and wit in a manner that's perfectly balanced. It seamlessly moves from one genre to another, transforming from a comedic depiction of a stand-up comedian's life to an edgy, gruesome supernatural horror flick. This genre-blending gives the movie its significant edge, proving it to be a refreshing cinematic treat.

Standards of Living incorporates a new take on digital cinematography, as it was filmed entirely on an iPad. The film truly stands out as a testament to the creative use and potential of modern technology, pushing the boundaries associated with independent film-making.

Overall, Standards of Living is anything but standard. It breaks the mold, daring to stray away from conventional storytelling and cinematographic methods. Mento has shown great courage in creating a film that starts with a strong sense of reality before diving into a bizarre world of fantasy. It's a truly unique concoction of humor, suspense, and horror that promises an engaging cinematic experience for viewers in search of something different.