If you’ve ever wondered what the Mayfield neighborhood would look as a cloudless Technicolored heaven enclosed by metal Romeroesque fencing, this is the film for you. Billy Connolly is a member of the undead harnessed by the living as a pet—a gray, groaning Benji, complete with matching collar (to protect against unvented zombie rage) and backyard chain. Named “Fido” by his new owner, an adolescent outcast, he threatens to divide the family: Mom, played by Carrie-Anne Moss, exhibits more than just a soft-spot for the decayed former-person, while Dad—the great Dylan Baker, as a cowardly Ward Cleaver—is reminded of his own past experiences with zombies and shuns the family’s new addition. A great little piece of overlooked humor, as well as a highly original commentary on both the zombie subgenre and our culture as a whole.
Still, zombies don’t win Oscars. At least, none have so far. Anybody playing a member of the undead is given a limited character to inhabit—a flat, flesh-eating canvass of rotting cheeks and glowing-black eyes, their libidinous appetites yearning fresh, flowing blood. Dialogue consists of “Errgh” and “Agghh” and, occasionally, “Brains!” With Fido, there are a multitude of surprisingly great performances to complement the storyline, the least of which comes from Tim Blake Nelson as a next-door neighbor and former researcher whose own pet is a young, blonde, scantily-clad female. A refreshing little movie, even with Halloween now two weeks passed.
by Adam Balz | Source: Lionsgate DVD
16 Nov 2007 2:55 PM | Submit Comment
