Title: Laugh Killer Laugh
ITN DISTRIBUTION
Director: Kamal Ahmed
Writer: Kamal Ahmed
Cast: William Forsythe, Bianca Hunter, Tom Sizemore, Victor Colicchio, Larry Romano, Robert MacNaughton, Kevin Corrigan
Running time: 100 minutes, Unrated
AVAILABLE IN THEATERS, ON VOD and ITUNES: April 24, 2015

Frank Stone (William Forsythe) is a theif and a killer for the mob whom is wandering through life in misery. He happens upon a creative writing class that he wants to join. He begins to pen short stories in the style of Mickey Spillane to an intrigued class; little do they all know they’re all based on real people and events.  He catches the eye of one student, Jackie (Bianca Hunter) whom is a depressed woman with an unfortunate past, but tries her hardest to make Frank crack a smile by being super awkward.  Soon Frank is discovered by some goons who have been looking for him, and find out he’s been spilling their secrets in literary form. They beat him up and leave him for dead, but only manage to put him in a coma. Once Frank awakens, he’s a changed man. He wants to make others laugh and even tries out stand-up comedy.  He realizes he wants someone to connect with and finds that in Jackie.  When the goons go after Jackie, Frank has to avenge her and do what he does best by killing.

The Good: I like the concept of a joyless killer/thief wanting to express himself creatively. The film plays out like a 70’s crime thriller, which was fun with the editing and music. I really liked Kevin Corrigan’s character as the writing class critic who’s just there to tear down other people and waiting for his turn to read his own shitty prose, because that’s a real guy, and you hate that guy.

The Bad: This story has been done before and with much better dialogue and characters. William Forsythe is a good actor, but he’s the only one that keeps this film afloat. Bianca Hunter’s character Jackie is annoying. Why is she an over the top goofball? If she was my mother, I would be mortified and rightfully so. How is Frank attracted to her? Tom Sizemore’s abusive headmaster is an awkwardly placed character. I get that he’s supposed to be the one who stole the joy from Frank at an early age, but the part could’ve been written better, or maybe it was his delivery. I needed some subtitles.

A lot of critics are making a big deal about director Kamal Ahmed’s Jerky Boys past. Who the hell cares? I like where the plot was heading in Laugh Killer Laugh, but it was poorly executed. The editing was awkward, the acting was awkward. I liked Frank better when he was an introvert. When he makes the turn into a stand-up comic, it’s overkill. Dude, chill out you maniac. The ending was like a race to finish the film, tying up loose ends that actually needed some room to air out. If you’re forced to make cuts for time, make sure they’re the right ones.

Acting: C
Story: C
Technical: B
Total Rating:C
Reviewed by: JM Willis