Humpday

Published by: Douglas McFarlane on 23rd Jan 2009 | View all blogs by Douglas McFarlane

Hilarious. If any independent filmmakers wanted to know what the ingredients are of a successful film, they need look no further than taking a look at what the very talented director Lynn Shelton has done with Humpday. Shelton has taken a subject never before dealt with in mainstream cinema and she let's it evolve by working closely and intimately with talented and committed actors.

It's a simple story. Two straight guys consider "boning each other". Mark Duplass ("The Puffy Chair") and Joshua Leonard ("The Blair Witch Project") are the two friends who come up with an idea in a mad and crazy drunken party, to create a movie to submit to Humpfest as an expression of their creativity. What follows is one of the most cringeworthy, honest and open films you're likely to see.

From the moment the film opens with a loving relationship between a heterosexual couple, to the end scenes in a basic hotel room where the two best buddy's stand next to each other with matching boxers, the connection with the actors is compelling to watch. As I was watching and listening, I noticed that some of the conversations overlapped at times and there were often some natural hesitancy in their spoken words, two signs that suggest either a great screenplay or, as in this case, improvisation is adopted.

I felt very connected to this film for a few other reasons. When I arrived in Salt Lake City airport, I waited in line for a taxi and spoke to an actress who said she had helped write a script and acted in a film in the competition. It turned out to be Humpday. On the long road to Park City, Trina Millard, shared some more details of the film and how director Lynn Shelton created her masterpiece.

I thought it was a film I had to see, and as it was on the agenda of my press screenings list the following day, I strolled along to have a look. Trina played a pivotal role in the film, as she introduces the audience to her lifestyle and from there the film shifts into a daring exploration of intimacy between two big strapping blokes. Everyone's got friends like these guys. Larger than life for the most part, boystrous and playful to the point of falling about on the ground wrestling each other.

After the movie had finished, I immediately called Trina on her mobile to tell her I loved it. We kept in touch during the week and she sent me a text to invite me to their last night party. I met Joshua Leonard (pictured right), who was outside chilling and drinking a beer and director Lynn Shelton who was being inundated with offers to distribute the film. One of which was from director Randall Miller, who I had interviewed at last year's Sundance. It's a small world show business and I'm very much looking forward to seeing this talented team again if it has a premiere in London.

For clips and more details:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0502671/

Stop press: Variety has reported that Magnolia Films has bought Humpday for a "mid-six figure sum" and will be going for an August release.