Cemetary Junction (2010)
I was skeptical about Cemetery Junction at first (I know, ME, skeptical? A shocker). Basically, I am not a huge fan of films that take place during the 70’s or before, but CJ is a huge exception to that rule. The film was a very obvious 70’s film (when door-to-door salesmanship was booming), but didn’t lose it’s characters in the setting (which can happen sometimes when trying to create older worlds). The characters are what propelled this film in a huge way – 3 hoodlums, 1 trying to make something of his life, 1 who is always in trouble with the law, and 1 smart-ass jokester. Although the archetypes seem all too familiar, the acting pushes these characters far beyond the normalcy of these roles. The story is engaging (will these characters get out of this small, shitty town?). Maybe I could just relate (coming from a small, shitty town), but their causes and nuances made the film funny, yet serious when it had too. Over time, I find it increasingly difficult to find comedies that are genuinely funny, but have a story to tell at the same time (think of pre-packaged shit shows like The Bounty Hunter, The Back-Up Plan, Grown Ups, etc. etc. etc. — Although Dinner With Schmucks was also refreshing). Now, this isn’t your “insert joke here” comedy, but there are funny situations, and the characters have a sense of liveliness to them that really makes the movie both fun, but worthwhile. I would say the next time you want a Dramedy — go for Cemetery Junction!
“There’s an ancient Arab proverb that says ‘Throw your heart out in front of you and catch it'”.
Trailer
