The vast majority of super-low-budget film and video productions tend to be horror-related, and even more often are of extremely-to-moderately low quality. Whether it be in terms of cinematography, acting, writing, or all of the above and more, most low budget fare tends to have at least one big pitfall. Such is not the case with Matthew Van Manahan’s The Book of Caleb, a super-low budget comedy reminiscent of early John Hughes fare. In fact, it’s not so much reminiscent as much as it is a parody, though much more subtle in comparison to parodies like Better Off Dead.
After dropping out of college in his final year, titular underachieving protagonist Caleb (Jeremy Luno, of absolutely nothing fame) returns to his suburban hometown, where he reunites with professional prankster and childhood friend Montag (Michael Hampton, Growing Out), as well as their mutual and mostly silent compadre Swank (Nikitas Manikatos, of fucking awesome name fame). Together they get up to their old tricks and attack the town with a flurry of pranks, going up against the likes of George Washington-obsessed political candidate Paddington (Paul Gleason, of The Breakfast Club, in his last film role) and his number one fan, the needlessly violent pretend-cop Scar (Jeff Berg). Toss in love interest Cole (Mackenzie Firgens), a bitchin’ tree house, and whole lotta darts and you have The Book of Caleb.
This film first caught my eye when the Angry Video Game Nerd himself, James Rolfe, mentioned it in one of his videos, where he called Scar one of the “baddest bad guys of all time“. Looking further into it, I discovered that Rolfe was given a special thanks from the filmmakers, and being such a huge AVGN fan, I just had to check it out. And you know what? Rolfe was right, Scar is a badass son of a bitch! He appears from behind random pillars, talks in a forced raspy voice, and in probably my favorite part of the movie, kills a guy in broad daylight just to take his camera–and it’s NEVER MENTIONED AGAIN. How badass is that? It’s like a badassery overload!
Probably the most endearing aspect of the film is it’s childish outlook on the world. Case in point: the first prank that Montag plans out involves breaking into the local elementary school while Caleb creates a diversion by preaching freedom to the children at recess. What makes this scene so strangely juvenile is how the school is set up as a prison, with all of the children dressed in orange and the teachers in black with earmuffs, talking to each other like guards. Little touches, like Tanner (Billy Tanner) and his little dance, the booby traps in the treehouse, and the Mexican block party outside Scar’s house all add to the surreal playfulness of the film. Then there’s the wanton violence that goes seemingly unnoticed, including the murder mentioned above and a dart through one actor’s hand, as well as the ridiculous cliche that is Scar, and his needless guarding of the local bar’s dart board. What kind of asshole just appears from behind pillars to yell at people who try to play darts? Fuckin’ Scar!
That’s another great aspect of the film: darts. How many movies’ plots focus so heavily on the great art of dart throwing? Well, Book of Caleb’s does. You see, Caleb–for the sake of the film’s underlying Robin Hood plot line–is a master dart thrower, and the latter half of the film relies heavily on the local dart contest that Scar is so very proud of winning. Of course, you’ll see this coming from the very beginning, with the random old dude in the bar detailing Scar’s slavish, popping-up-randomly-from-behind-pillars love of winning, but that’s not the point. The whole thing is so delightfully old school, and looks good while doing it.
Shot on 35mm, all of the film’s colors are vibrant enough to warrant more than one double take. Brown and orange leaves mix with bright green lawns beautifully, while the Winter weather is painted with broad strokes of white and gray mixed with surprisingly green foliage. The shots are so masterfully put together that you would think cinematographer Mike Gioulakis was a Hollywood veteran of many years, but you’d be wrong.
I could go much deeper into the story and various touches of brilliance that The Book of Caleb brings to the table, but it’s all just so breathtakingly fun to watch without much information. Take my word for it and seek out the damn thing. As of this review, it’s freely available through IMDb.com, so you really have no excuse. Check it out, or vengeance will be mine!
8/10
Tags: book of caleb, comedy, drama, dramedy, film, flick, independent, indie, john hughes, matthew van manahan, robin hood, satire, slapstick, violence