RKS 2024 Film: “The Gutter”: Full of Stereotypes and Lacking Originality

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Walt (Shameik Moore), a man with few social or business skills, finds employment as general help at the dilapidated Alleycatz Bowling Alley. There he meets Skunk (Darcy Carden) on a bar stool a former female pro bowler and now a voracious consumer of beer, preferably warm for breakfast.

A city building inspector gives bowling alley owner Moselle (Jackée Harry) 60 days to bring Alleycatz up to code at an estimated cost of $200,000. Skunk notices bowling novice Walt is a crack bowler and the plan is to have him with Skunk, as his manager, win the requisite $200,000 in bowling contests to avoid the closure of Alleycatz.

Walt rises to the occasion crawling from the bottom of the bowling ranks winning successive tournaments. And what a delightful cast of characters one encounters on the way some original but most of the stereotyped genre in both black and white culture. Racists are easily spotted including the gregarious and obnoxious sportscaster Angelo (Paul Reiser).

The final match of the season is between Walt and the recent out of retirement record breaker professional bowler Linda (“The Crusher”) Curzon (Susan Sarandon). Win or lose Walt is a beacon for black bowlers and the black community. Will Alleycatz be saved?

Walt imparts a streak of WrestleMania into the staid world of bowling with bizarre costuming and antics. Could this be the future of bowling?

The plot lacks originality and is somewhat guttural. It takes skill to portray stereotypes however and that skill is in “The Gutter”.

The acting is fine with Paul Reiser as the excessively obnoxious sportscaster Angelo is a true delight. Jackée Harry as Moselle radiates warmth and genuine personality free of stereotypes. Susan Sarandon plays the role of obnoxious and self-obsessed pro bowler without a mean edge necessary for an evil character.

Directed by Isiah Lester and Yassir Lester.

You can see the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qogk2Sa3luU

Theatrical release commences 6December2024.

RKS 2024 Film Rating 71/100.

Published by Robert K Stephen (CSW)

Robert K Stephen writes about food ,drink, travel, film, and lifestyle issues. He also has published serialized novels "Life at Megacorp", "Virus # 26, "Reggie the Egyptian Rescue Dog" and "The Penniless Pensioner" Robert was the first associate member of the Wine Writers’ Circle of Canada. He also holds a Mindfulness Certification from the University of Leiden and the University of Toronto. Be it Spanish cured meat, dried fruit, BBQ, or recycled bamboo place mats, Robert endeavours to escape the mundane, which is why he has established this publication. His motto is, "Have Story, Will Write."

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