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Drawing Flies

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Director: Matt Gissing
Actors: Martin Brooks, Renee Humphrey, William Black, Jason Mewes, Sheryl Brooks
Studio: Indie DVD
Category: DVD

List Price: ~~$19.99~~
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You Save: $17.50 (88%)

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Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

23 reviews
Sales Rank: 12289

Format: Black & White, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 76
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6

UPC: 802695000798
EAN: 0802695000798
ASIN: B00005Y71C

Theatrical Release Date: 1996
Release Date: February 26, 2002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
Hard-core fans of Kevin Smith (auteur of Clerks, Chasing Amy, and Dogma) will find Drawing Flies essential viewing. This Canadian film features many actors who would later appear in Smith's own directorial efforts, including Jason Lee, Renee Humphrey, Carmen Lee, and Jason Mewes (better know as Jay of Jay and Silent Bob). Lee plays Donner, the unofficial leader of a troupe of slackers who've just been kicked off of welfare. Donner convinces his friends that what they need to turn their lives around is a camping trip; but as they go deeper and deeper into the Canadian forests, Donner grows increasingly erratic and finally reveals that visions have told him to search for Bigfoot. Smith has a cameo in his Silent Bob persona. Non-fans can probably leave this one on the shelf. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews: Read 18 more reviews...

2 out of 5 stars

Doesn't draw much attention or interest February 29, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

by dane youssef

The Canadians approach to filmmaking is either bland, campy or downright blood-and-guts (usually in the "campy" gory vein, of course).

Most Canadians are as good at the art of film as mimes are at capturing the art of sparkling conversation.

Ever hear the expression, "it was halfway decent? Comes up halfway? Meet me halfway?" I had that thought stuck at the top of my head after viewing this one.

That's about the perfect way to describe "Drawing Flies," a Canadian-based indie featuring a sprinkling of an American-based cast and crew.

The first half of the movie starts out as a variation of the whole "Dazed and Confused" or "Slackers" genre, where we see some contemporary socially-relevant slacker types in Canada living on steady welfare. Then we see them go on the big self-discovery trip that's the big turning point of their lives.

The Canuck Government cuts them off and they take the last bit of money they have in the world, pool it together and instead of paying the necessary monthly rent check, they blow the whole damn thing on a cover-charge at some party and dope.

Now totally and completely bankrupt, they move out of their place (they're living four to a single apartment) and hit the road. They then exile themselves to the deep, deep woods where they plan to make permanent residence. Thus, this is where the real journey-theme of the movie kicks in. This is where the part of their lives that has worthy interest to be a movie kicks in.

Or should anyway.

Jason Lee (as always) proves that any movie with him in it alone is worth seeing (OK, except for the unforgivably bad sedated-comedies "A Guy Thing" and "Stealing Harvard"--well, hey, if Tom Green's in it). His performance starts out earnest with life-affirming optimistic hope and child-like charm, but then U-turns into angry, road rage and his long-repressed dementia kicks in. It's the type of character he's played in damn near everything, but it's still thrills and shakes.

Mewes' performance here is kind of uneven. I mean, he's not really an actor--he's basically just a friend of filmmaker Kevin Smith who plays himself in movie after movie. Like Julia Roberts, he's not really an actor--he's more of a TV talk-show personality. Jason Mewes stretches (somewhat) as a welfare-starving slacker who curses and smokes the dope, but not nearly at the level that his legendary Jay character does. He (like most of the cast) seems to have trouble swallowing the overwritten and unrealistic dialogue.

He doesn't talk so much about getting laid and eating out ***** as much, either. Mewes' Az character is more of somewhat-more-down-to-earth regular Stoner than a near-cartoonist comic relief.

Carmen Lee (they were married at the time of this one) does the worst job in this one. Every word, every facial reaction, every moment from her sounds horribly unconvincing. She is here, beyond a doubt, not only the absolute worst performance in the film, but the worst acting I've ever seen. Hopefully, Carmen will stray from acting and find almost any other day job. She would be more adept to make a living donating sperm.

The movie's plot echoes "The Blair Witch Project:" A group of friends go on a long, long trip in the deepest woods on earth and into the great unknown. Then, a hidden agenda is revealed. One that may bring wealth and legendary status. It sounds (of course) to everyone else like s collision of insanity and stupidity. But doesn't every ground-breaker at first?

Everyone sneers and turns against each other. It's all sides divided. Bedlam, as always. The Loch Ness Monster. Sasquach. The Boogeyman. They're all just good old fashioned monster folklore stories, aren't they? There's always evidence (of course) that tilts to the contrary.

Like I said from the start of this review (where you came in), "Drawing Flies" is a "halfway decent" film. If you only see half the movie, you'll walk away having a better cinematic experience than you would if you saw the whole thing. Just see half. It really doesn't matter which half. Just see half. The movie starts off in one frame of mind, then shifts jarringly in another direction.

And damn it all, the two just don't mesh. They clash wildly like yogurt and broccoli. Just imagine for a second that resulting, lingering taste.

Doesn't draw much attention... or even much interest.

(WARNING: THE FOLLOWING CONTAINS A MILD SPOILER--It does not reveal the entire film nor does it give away the ending, but it does reveal a brief surprise... that disappoints):

Indie-idol Kevin Smith (the fat hairy one himself) pops up in a bit part that feels like an extra.

He's at the end, he doesn't have so much as a word of dialogue, and he's dressed just like well... Silent Bob. And I mean SILENT BOB. He wears the same clothes he's worn in the first three movies.

And it's not like there much here to distinguish this bit part from his legendary Silent doppelganger. Smith dons the same outfit, same mime facial expressions. He even sports the exact same beard. What, the budget was so low, he couldn't afford a shave or at least a trim? Or time to get another set of clothes from out of his closet?

Hey, it's a no-budget film, they couldn't afford a wardrobe department as his character is referred to as "John." You kind of wish there was just a little more of a punch line or pay-off, but....

But this time, there is no moment where he breaks the silence. The only difference between "John" and "Silent Bob" is... one is something, one is not...

5 out of 5 stars

ADMIT IT, THIS IS A BRILLIANT FILM January 29, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

VIEW ASKEW PRODUCTIONS
PRESENTS
DRAWING FLIES

Like almost everybody else I went out and bought this film based on the fact that it was a View Askew Production and starred Jason Lee. But unlike almost everyone else who has viewed this film I think that this movie is brilliant. I' am sure people who are reading this and have seen the film are gasping, but if you really sit down and watch the film for what it is I guarantee you will believe the same as me.

The story follows a group of friends who live in Canada and are all about to be kicked out of their apartment due to the fact that they have no jobs and are not granted welfare. Donner, who is the unofficial leader of the group decides he wants to go find Bigfoot or a sasquatch as he likes to point out. Knowing his friends will never go for it he decides to trick them into following him on this exhibition by saying his Uncle has a cabin in the woods that they can stay in. Since they will no longer have an apartment to live in they decide [some reluctantly] to accompany him on this trip. As they go deeper and deeper into the woods Donner starts to lose his grip on sanity and the group is even ran off by a group of men in large diapers. Az even falls from a tree and gets messed up pretty bad, and when his cut gets infected it becomes life threatening. So with no where to go once all is revealed the friends have a choice, stay with Donner as he slips into insanity or try and make their way back.

As with any View Askew film the performers for the film are familiar faces for the most part. All will recognize leading man Jason Lee in the role of Donner. As always Lee gives the best performance of the film delivering with quick comedy wit, while at the same time showing more of a dramatic turn when he starts to go crazy. I think that it is an interesting fact that this was the role that Kevin Smith saw Lee in and decided he would cast Lee in "Chasing Amy". Another familiar face turns up in Lee's ex wife Carmen, who delivers well as Cassady. Jason Mewes of "Jay" fame turns up as Az, Jason as usual is the biggest comic relief of the film. Renee Humphrey is also in this film, as well as a fresh face in the View Askew world Martin Brooks. Brooks surprised me as he turned in an excellent performance; I wish he would make more films. Also a great moment in the film occurs when Kevin Smith cameos as "Silent Bob" in the film and accidentally runs into Jason Mewes's character Az. After a brief quite second between the two as they look at each other, they move on as if it never happened. But the most brilliant thing about this film has to be Scott Mosier joining some other guys in the middle of the woods in nothing but a diaper. That has to be the greatest part of the movie, except maybe Lee's scenes where he admits what the trip is all about and gets in a fight with Cassady.

For a film that had an extremely low budget of 40,000 [if I' am not mistaken], this film even in black and white looks great. Brian Pearson did a pretty good job of making this film look as good as possible. And writer, producer, editor, directors Matt Gissing and Malcom Ingram did an excellent job with this film. The script had to have been great because this film turned out brilliant, if the Sci-Fi channel ever tried to make a film that would make Kevin Smith proud this would be it. Speaking of which, I' am so glad that Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier decided to back this film because it was definitely worth it in my eyes.

I would recommend this film to any and everybody out there who has a taste for films that are a little bit out there. Also be sure to check out the two commentaries on the film, the first by the Directors [that one is for all the technical behind the scenes stuff]. And the second featuring the directors, Smith, Mosier, Mewes, Lee, and others, that one of course is the livelier of the two.

1 out of 5 stars

A man of worth never gets up to unsay what he said yesterday... December 2, 2005
3 out of 8 found this review helpful

Now, I am typically not one to generally insult a film. I realize that when creating artwork there are those that devote their sweat, tears, and blood to the project. While some films are horrendous, there is always the need to take a moment and appreciate the time that the director put into his/her work. Alas, with Drawing Flies that theory doesn't apply. What has happened with this film is simply two directors wanted to have a good time, sold Kevin Smith on the concept (a darn good sales pitch if you ask me), asked him to invite his friends, and they would provide the room and food. It reminded me of those first parties at college where you don't really know anyone, but you still invite upperclassmen so that it won't be a total bust. That is exactly what happened with Drawing Flies. While the directors (yep, sadly there were two) will complain about their lack of budget and film, I believe they got exactly what they wanted. A cheap independent film that can be endorsed by Kevin Smith and stars the now popular Jason Lee. Good or horribly bad, those are some decent names to boast for such a cheap film.

Drawing Flies was a cheaply made film that carried with it a sloppy story. In all attempts to pull in a independent crowd and possibly create a "cult" classic, these directors have done nothing more than provided us with an hour and ten minutes of pure slop. The beginning should have been our tell-tale sign when Jason Lee's voiceover provided the first ten minutes of the film laying what could have been the groundwork for the film, but instead just random dribble. There was no A-B-C logic in this film. There was no defined story. There were no intelligent characters. There was literally no emotion. I could continue this "missing" list for quite some time, but I would need several milk containers. All this film had was Kevin Smith's View Askew production name stamped (very proudly ... nearly too proudly) on the front and actor friends that apparently didn't care what a decision like this would do to their career. The entire "Jay & Silent Bob" moments were only included in this film to pull drooling fan-boys to the rental stands. They had no impact on the actual story itself. In fact, the mere seconds that they share aren't even funny, just clich� and completely cheap.

I hate to continue to use the word "cheap" to describe this film, but as I watched the production value of Drawing Flies fall dramatically as the 76 minutes came closer and closer to ending, I kept thinking of those $1 movies found in those bins at your local stores. They may be good movies, but the value is so cheap that you nearly feel like the $1 isn't worth it. That is how I felt with Drawing Flies. One minute we are at a beer guzzling party, the next we are moping about welfare, and the next we are in the woods concerned about Bigfoot. Where was the logic behind these segments? My answer ... there was none. This film was a cheap attempt at creativity, mental instability, and those darn Sasquatch. For a View Askew production, the voice dubbing was horrendous, the actual acting was atrocious, and the sets were amazingly poor. Even the outdoor shots just screamed "Blue Light Special". Nothing worked in this film. Nothing of value was created. Nothing could make a mother say, "I am proud of the work my son has done." That is sad.

I am tired of Kevin Smith. While I love Clerks (both the live-action and cartoon) and think Chasing Amy is one of the most brilliant films about modern culture created, Smith has continued to disappoint his die-hard fans time and time again by feeding us cheap clich� moments like that of Jay & Silent Bob in Drawing Flies. It is as if he has found his one character and is not afraid to exploit it to the very end. Jason Mewes should not continue to work. Jason Lee needs to stay focused. He is an exceptionally talented actor, but this film could seriously ruin his resume. Everyone else just did this film because Smith was involved, and Smith was involved only because he likes to think that he still has his hand on the pulse of independent cinema, but alas he does not. Kevin Smith is mainstream, even when Passion of the Clerks is released it just won't have that pizzazz it once did. His originality is gone and we can only blame films like Drawing Flies for that change.

Overall, in case you haven't guessed already, this was one of the worst films that I watched this year. As the year begins to close, I thought that good cinema would be pouring in, but if I continue on the Drawing Flies path, I do not see good things in my future. I am tired of clich�s, of overused pop culture references, and of Kevin Smith. I am disappointed in this film because it wasted 76 minutes of my day.

I just kept waiting for these lines to pass our character's lips:

"I gave you BACK the map, Heather."
"I gave you the map."
"I gave you BACK... THE MAP."

Grade: * out of *****

5 out of 5 stars

I Loved this movie! November 19, 2004
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

I know it's a little odd but I think this may be a little better than CLERKS. Drawing has some great yet bizarro humor (Bizarro from selab). The movie also has a directors cut and theatrical version so that way you can see both great features. Just in case you wanna know, the movie is about a guy who is on the verge of having a nervous break down (or losing his, I can't tell which) and then he decides to look for bigfoot, so he lies to his friends and says that there is a cabin where his Grandfather lives but it is in the middle of the wood. The movie is jam packed with laughs. If you life Kevin you love this movie. If you like bizarre humor, you'll love this movie.
By the way, Jason Mewes is in this movie you know Jay from Clerks.

3 out of 5 stars

More Askew than the normal View July 3, 2003
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This movie has a great cast, you'll recognize SEVERAL View Askew regulars. The dialogue is interesting, the special features are informative, and the plot is just completely BIZARRE. I have watched it twice, so that has to say something...worth the buy for View Askew fans and supporters.

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