A service course on aggressive capitalism disguised as a slacker comedy: Thats the kindest way to explain Michael Lehmanns Flakes, a motion picture that shares the smug, hipper-than-thou sensibility of its sour protagonist, Neal Downs (Aaron Stanford).
An ambitious rock artist who manages a New Orleans eatery where the only expense of fare is breakfast cereal, Neal is a reflexively sarcastic deadbeat whose equally sour sweetheart, Pussy Katz (Zooey Deschanel), shares his bohemian imagine taking a trip the nation in an Airstream trailer, making music and art.
The walls of the dining establishment, called Flakes, are lined with cereal boxes, including uncommon terminated brands. As clients slop up unique combinations, the film suggests a deadpan satire of premium fetishism. One house specialty chocolate-flavored grains steeped in chocolate milk sounds particularly nauseating.
Owned by Willie (Christopher Lloyd), a run-down hippie geezer with mad-scientist hair, Flakes limps along as a hangout for deadbeats till a bright-eyed yuppie visitor, Stuart (Keir ODonnell), proposes turning it into a rewarding franchise. When Willie and Neal express no interest, Stuart establishes a competing Flakes throughout the street, and the New Orleans cereal wars start.
Intending to put Stuart out of business, Neal starts playing filthy tricks, the nastiest of which is the distribution of fliers to the homeless appealing 10 complimentary bowls per consumer at his rivals establishment. The trick sets off a near-riot that Stuart skillfully relies on his benefit.
Neals brand-new live-in relationship with Pussy starts to curdle when she turns traitor and goes to work for the competition, hoping that the death of the original Flakes will leave Neal with time to complete his CD. If the name of atrioventricular bundle, Cereal Killers, is perfectly picked, its music is a joke.
Once legal representatives become involved in the conflict, the motion pictures anti-establishment attitude evaporates, as does the tiny little levity Flakes has actually produced.
FLAKES
Opens on Wednesday in Manhattan; also on Video as needed.
Directed by Michael Lehmann; written by Chris Poche and Karey Kirkpatrick; director of photography, Nancy https://n0mkzwn125.doodlekit.com/blog/entry/11720591/how-to-explain-skyhook-to-a-fiveyearold Schreiber; modified by Nicholas C. Smith; music by Jason Derlatka and Jon Ehrlich; produced by Gary Winick and Jake Abraham; launched by IFC First Take. At the IFC Center, 323 Opportunity of the Americas, at Third Street, Greenwich Town. Running time: 1 hour 24 minutes. This movie is not ranked.
WITH: Aaron Stanford (Neal Downs), Zooey Deschanel (Miss Pussy Katz), Christopher Lloyd (Willie), Frank Wood (Bruce), Ryan Donowho (Skinny Larry), Izabella Miko (Strawberry) and Keir ODonnell (Stuart).