Film No. 80 (2022) October 2nd. 2.50 PM Cinema 7. LUNA, Leederville.
"I don't listen to Alanis Morrisette when I'm going through a break up, and I'm not listening to Pappa Roach on the day I'm going to kill myself." (Val lays it on Kevin that his music, blaring through the car stereo is not going to help).
Winner; Waldo Salt Screen writing award. Ari Katcher & Ryan Welch. Nominee Grand Jury Prize Sundance 2022.
Part way through watching ON THE COUNT I got to thinking of the importance of an audience being alerted to the fact that suicide themes will be presented, no matter the context. So be warned. I liked ON THE COUNT but it is not an easy watch because of its theme.
Jerrod Carmichael directs and stars (Val) here. He does a brilliant job of building tension with co-star Chris Abbott (Kevin) considering the time he occupies in front of the camera. And while there are some dark, comic moments, for a film lined with such pessimism, he never loses sight of the "curl in the tail" this film has.
We begin our journey with Val and Kevin at the rear of a shopping lot; both are pointing guns at the other, from close range. They've made a pact. Their lives aren't worth living so on the count of three they are to pull their triggers. Suddenly they postpone the deed. Kevin needs a day to confront and resolve an issue or two. The clever script by first time feature writers Ari Katcher and Ryan Welch allows us an intimate look at why V & K have chosen suicide to full-stop their lives.
ON THE COUNT is rough, low budget and episodic. These are not criticisms, but there is a rawness that doesn't do it real justice. However these young film makers created a buzz at Sundance because of ON THE COUNT'S message. The writers won a gong for their words. Younger audience are raving about ON THE COUNT OF THREE. I can see why. 9GUMS.
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