Uncle John (2015)

Directed by: Steven Piet Written by: Erik Crary, Steven Piet

I will say this: Uncle John is a unique film. Part mystery, part thriller, part romantic comedy? Yeah, that’s right.

[Mystery/Thriller] We begin on some back roads in rural Illinois while a creepy preacher reads from the bible (voice-over) presumably foreshadowing what’s to come. And it comes right away…
Uncle John follows a stumbling man down a small dock until the man falls face first in the lake and dies. Uncle John stands over him holding an oar (the murder weapon?) and quickly fixes the scene to look as if the man disappeared. We have no idea who these characters are or what their relationship is to each other but we do get to know John rather quickly. John Ashton gives a great performance as a man who can play it cool with the best of them and frankly, it was refreshing. I can’t stand it when someone “tries” to play it cool but so obviously gives away their guilt and yet nobody else in the movie can see it. Well, in this movie, nobody can see it and neither can we. He sets the stage, burns the body along with any evidence of foul play, and shows up to his local diner for his usual gossip circle with other men his age.

[RomCom] Meanwhile, in Chicago, John’s nephew, Ben (played by Alex Moffat…yes, THAT Alex Moffat of SNL) is an animator who works for an advertising firm (I think) and has a co-worker/best friend that smokes pot. When a new employee, Kate, joins the firm (Jenna Lyng), Ben immediately falls for her and the two start to spend quality time together. While Ben and Kate are obviously attracted to each other they try their best to keep their distance since they’re co-workers and their boss is a huge dickhead who seems to be looking for reasons to fire Ben.



[Mystery/Thriller] Meanwhile, Uncle John is dealing with the aftermath of his victim’s disappearance in the form of a disgruntled brother. The brother knows something is wrong and starts to accuse a handful of men in the town of foul play, including Uncle John. While John continues to go about his rural life on the farm the gossip in town starts to pick up and soon Uncle John realizes that the brother is going to be a problem and may have to be dealt with. At this point we’re still unsure of why Uncle John committed the first murder and why the brother suspects him at all but we know it has something to do with Uncle John’s departed wife.

[RomCom] Back in Chicago, Ben and Kate have flirted long enough and seem to be the only two employees with any sense (very Jim and Pam-esque). Ben takes a chance and asks Kate if she would like to take an impromptu trip with him to visit his Uncle John and Kate says yes. I should mention that while I’m trying to take a poke a little fun with this relationship it feels very organic and the two actors play it well. I would guess most of the scenes are improvised and if this relationship were an entire movie I would probably enjoy it.

[Mystery/Thriller/Romcom] Ben and Kate show up, unannounced, and Uncle John is taken aback at first but quickly makes the two feel right at home. There’s some awkward moments as to Ben and Kate’s relationship (they will sleep in separate rooms, they are just co-workers, etc.) but all-the-while the undercurrent of the murder hangs over the film like a dark cloud. The brother is lurking, making Uncle John uncomfortable, so when Ben and Kate go to bed, Uncle John grabs a thermos and a shotgun and hides in the shadows of his barn, ready for anything…

And anything comes. The brother sneaks onto the property, drunk and angry but conflicted. He takes a moment to smoke the last of his cigarette unaware that Uncle John is in the shadows behind him with a shotgun. The brother finally musters up the courage to do what must be done but not before Uncle John WHACKS him in the face with the butt of a shotgun and smothers him to death.

Meanwhile Ben and Kate have finally decided to bang.

Eventually Uncle John burns the brother’s body and, we assume, gets away with murder. Ben and Kate go back to Chicago where they will inevitably move in together only to constantly fight and bicker and break up (this happens when a 5 dates a 9).

While Uncle John isn’t a required viewing type of movie, it’s got a great formula that other indie films should take note of: a veteran actor who can show off his acting chops without breaking the bank, a uniquely written screenplay, and an up-and-coming comedian who would love to do an indie film in order to expand his portfolio. Low budget. Good film. What more can you ask for out of the little guy?

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