Dementia

The Details:
Directed by: Jon Price
Runtime: 43 min
Country: USA
Language: English
Color: Color

The Review:
Dementia is, quite simply, about a man who is coming unglued. The circumstances with which he loses himself are made apparent through the course of the movie but obviously involve his wife and daughter, who are featured in the teaser. We see early on that Danny, who is afflicted with the titular state of mind, has a hideous scar over his heart. A poignant link to the past, it's most likely a constant reminder of the tragedy that occurred to (or within) his family.

Dementia has the ingredients necessary to capture any independent film audience: a lead character who has sympathetic convictions, a background filled with mystery, and a raw, unhindered belief that propels his actions. He's not a mindless, angry slasher. Our lead is torn between his past life's sociopolitical standards, and his newly formed rationale. A vigilante at heart, his initial intentions soon become warped and twisted. Bent on rescuing the failing society that surrounds him by dealing out punishment where he sees fit, his delusions quickly shift gears and he begins taking out his own personal frustrations on various innocent passersby in the most maniacal of manners. The film is truly unpredictable, and therefore it manages to be enticing.


To dismantle the physical appearance of the flick, it truly is budget-less. The quality is always consistent, but the cinematography is uninspired and the audio barely meets even average B standards. The editing is full of quick cuts, lingering moments, strange dissolves that continually left me scratching my head (but not in a "woah.. that was sweet, but what was it?"-kind of way. More like a "uhh...that... um... uhh...."-kind of way). Dementia contains the sets, acting, and blocking that are equivalent to your average porno. However, you really can't laugh at any of the performances (which we love doing here at bisforbrains), and maybe that's a compliment to the writing and direction. I can guarantee, though, that if these actors were spouting out mindless verbalizations about being vaporized by aliens or puppet creatures that drill holes into their brains, we would have been cracking up continually.

I must commend the director, Jon Price, who managed to stay acceptably far away from 'cool', 'music video' film making. Aside from a few quick uses of blurry digital effects filters to enhance Danny's vacations from reality, there are almost no instances where the film tries to be overly flashy and/or hip, which, in this day and age, is extremely easy to abuse.

I thought the movie was very entertaining, and I fully appreciate what Jon Price has done with a complete lack of budget in creating a mysterious and intriguing character through decent dialogue and competent direction. There are even a few comedic touches to keep you laughing, such as the line "I don't know if you knew this, but... people thinkin' you're psycho's not the best thing when you're tryin' to get a new job."

I can't wait to see what this guy can do with a little dough, as well as a reputable cinematographer and editor. Price is certainly in-tune with what's necessary to keep an audience glued to the screen.



THE 4th WALL: Crashes down, Kool-Aid Man style.
LENGTH: Any more, and the fun would have ceased.
GORE: Short, but oh so unnervingly sweet.