By Michael Colford
Rating: 4.4
Director: Ben Mankoff | Mark Blane
Starring: Christian Patrick | Joseph Seuffert | Mark Blane | Patricia Richardson
Country: united_states
Year: 2019
Running time: 83
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5754850/reference
Michael says: “I’m usually wary when filmmakers reach out to Chlotrudis and offer to send a screener for consideration for a Chlotrudis Award. But when Mark Blane, who turns out to be the writer/director and lead actor of a new indie film, CUBBY, reached out, and persisted, despite my taking a while to get back to him, and also had a film that had played the festival circuit, and was released in NY and LA, hence his film was actually eligible, I thought I’d give it a try. While the opening sequence, where a Mom drops her son off in Manhattan from Indiana, with a box and a back pack, to start his new life with his new job as a gallery attendant, was a little stilted and awkward, I was quickly won over by Blane’s, open, and honest performance, even as we find out that Mark (the character in the film) doesn’t really have a job, and doesn’t have a place to stay. What drove Mark to imagine he could start his life in New York City like this is a bit of a mystery, but it’s just the kind of decision-making that is part of Mark’s life.
“Mark seems to suffer from anxiety — he has a prescription for Klonopin — but he manages to get a room through an old college connection, and then a job, babysitting a 6-year-old, with whom he quickly bonds. Mark is rather childlike himself, so in some ways, he’s the perfect babysitter, although his questionable judgement when making decisions certainly foreshadows some difficult times to come. Mark is also an artist. He draws rather graphic scenes of naked, aroused men, and men having sex with each other. He pictures a sexy, protector when he masturbates who he dubs Leatherman, and soon Leatherman starts appearing in Manhattan to help Mark navigate his life, that is growing increasingly more complicated., and makes him feel safe. He also meets a nice young man named Russell who makes an attempt at reaching out to Mark, by asking to join his book group. Mark’s clearly likes Russell, but something holds him back from reciprocating.
“While the film is clearly a low-budget endeavor, Blane has captured a real person, trying his best to make his way as an adult, who isn’t perhaps equipped for it. But there is something so endearing and engaging about Mark, with his Napoleon Dynamite-esque dorkiness, and open, innocence, that it’s easy to overlook some of the questionable decisions he makes, especially when caring for a 6-year-old boy. Blane does a really nice job in all of his roles, and I’m curious as to what he might do next. With CUBBY, he has created a lovely, coming-of-age story for someone who probably represents a whole lot of people out there who never see themselves on screen. The awkward anxious, regular human being. 4.5 cats”
Julie says: “I did enjoy this film. It was shot on 16mm Kodak which gave it a nice look and feel and I loved the occasional animations layered over the film. Not sure how that was done but way cool, and fitting with what one might imagine the character’s perception of reality might be. I loved the relationship between Mark and Milo (Milo being the 6 year Mark is in charge of baby-sitting) and the dynamic he had with Milo’s parents Just brilliant!
“4.25 Cats buried treasure eligible I assume.”