Review: FOUR COLOR EULOGY Geeks Out In St. Louis

Replete with angsty real-world male drama and front-to-end pop culture reference-filled dialogue, the modest Four Color Eulogy could be compatible to a Kevin Smith movie, minus that third hook of vulgarity. (Something that is to its credit.)

We open on a funeral service; a large ornate church made all the larger by the smattering of attendees.  A young man takes the pulpit for a eulogy, giving way to his personal backstory that's led everyone to this point.  

Ironically then perhaps, it is his own perceived lack of personal backstory that's fueled so much of his life choices.  This is Chris (Jason Contini), a guy who's lived his life in the dark as to who his biological father is.

Actually, the film opens just before the funeral service.  Outside the church, a couple of young geeky types are taking a moment to gather their bearings.  In turn, this is the whole of director Wyatt Weed's Four Color Eulogy: Geeks trying to gather their bearings.  The specters of both death and comic book culture permeate everything.

That, coupled with the title itself, are what makes the film an honest endeavor.  Shot on a very low-budget in the south side of St. Louis, Missouri, Four Color Eulogy is, above all else, a love letter to that particular community. The press notes tell us that it is completely local from top to bottom, renowned St. Louis theater actors on screen, longtime veterans of film production behind the camera.

Being a St. Louisian myself, I recognize much of this, and am able to take it for what it's worth. I know these places and, full disclosure, I know some of these people.(Although I had absolutely nothing to do with this particular film itself.). While Four Color Eulogy doesn't fall into the trap of mistaking localization for merit the way other lesser St. Louis films have, there are moments where its meandering near that trigger mechanism.

The story details certain revelations in the world of comics as the characters uncover the possible identity of a long lost silver age comics creator. Around that, they must deal with the pending death of Chris' disease-stricken mother, played terrifically by Amy Loui.

Yes, the movie has some problems. The banter-based screenplay by stars Jason Contini, Nicholas J. Hearne, John Contini and director Weed, begs for a more Altman-esque approach as opposed to the conventional, even televisual execution that it's given. Despite Weed's employment of a 2.35 cinematic aspect ratio, and occasional glimpses of compositional potential, the film is all too often an I-talk-you-talk affair, one medium shot after another. As a result, the banter sometimes comes off as stilted. Perhaps this also has to do with the fact that most of these actors typically work on stage, not on camera – a completely different medium - which they seem to be aware of.  Yet, the pedigree sometimes shows.

Jason Contini stands out in scenes of high drama. Acclaimed theater veteran John Contini (Jason's real life father) is also positively memorable as Rich, the cagey owner of the neighborhood watering hole, and a man always full of advice. Additionally, Jessica Winingham is very good in her role of Chris' girlfriend – a role that offers her more to do than the typical “girlfriend” part.

At two hours in length, it's too long by at least ten minutes. A comic book signing montage at the one hour mark is the prime offender, a scene that flies out of control and into amateur territory, seemingly more concerned with making sure all the producers friends get fun cameos than keeping things moving.

Four Color Eulogy is pretty good when things are bad for the characters, but less so when it's trying for levity.  The running gags, the snarky retorts, and even certain comics references fall flat. For a film made by comic book fans, it's disappointing to hear them mock the landmark "Howard the Duck," as though the ill-fated movie were their only true knowledge of that character. Granted it's one boisterous character's opinion (Nicholas J. Hearne), but it's an irksome detail. After all, no self respecting comics purist should ever besmirch Howard!

Four Color Eulogy isn't the movie it could've been, but then again, few are.  It's certainly not perfect, but for a small movie aspiring beyond its landlocked place, everyone involved has, at the least, one moment or contribution that they can be proud of.

Four Color Eulogy will be playing a limited theatrical run April 8-14, 2016, in St. Louis at Wehrenberg Ronnie's 20.