Sam Wanoutsky (Jeremy Davies) is a frantic conspiracy theorist and that certainly shows by listening to his podcast “The Naked Umbrella”. He is a convicted arsonist currently out on parole so as one says, “He’s gotta keep his nose clean”. Even his parole officer Yolanda Johnston (Darnell Rhea) is pulling for Sam but the fact his wife Irene (Taryn Manning) inadvertently left the gas stove running and then lit a cigarette and kaboomed their trailer park home has certain fingers pointing to Sam’s pyro inclination.
Sam is deeply scarred by a childhood setting the pig sty and its occupants on fire egged on by his clansmen and deranged father so there is a flawed element to this quasi-comedic character. Can he confront his BBQ pork guilt? He has a wickedly savage Granny (Richard Riehle) who is cross dresser, dope dealer and loves a big bong now and then. Granny is a hoot and the only true purveyor of ribald comedic moments.
What conspiracy theorist doesn’t revel in the Kennedy assignation and UFO’s. Yes there is a rather hip and philosophical alien patiently enduring the limited intellectual capabilities of human beings. While Irene is deeply religious in her trailer park ways she can’t bring Jesus into Sam’s heart. You’ll be surprised at who is the savior of Sam and Irene but given the frantic pace and multi-directional spin of the film perhaps you will not be taken aback!
And then for a film critic notoriously” slow at the draw” it hit me like a ton of bricks 90% way through the film as the action occurs on Christmas Eve and the cacophony of Christmas songs intensified a revelation that “Adventures of the Naked Umbrella” could very well be a Christmas movie.
Directed by Gerald Brunskill and will be released On Demand and select American theatres on 10November2023.
You can watch the trailer here https://vimeo.com/784270065/14377a15b9?share=copy
RKS 2023 Film Rating 81/100.
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 