In a dystopian world, Jon (Rob Ramsay) works at a factory where baby toys are born from cabbage, sold to new mothers, and then turned into human-looking slaves who eventually work at the factory. The factory's foreman, Child Catcher (Julian Richings), reigns like a tyrant over his workers. When Jon discovers that he's actually one of those toys, he and his wife (Stephanie Pitsiladis) along with a street peddler, Sly (Suresh John), desperately search for his mother, Bethany (Zoie Palmer). Meanwhile, Child Catcher kidnaps Bethany's daughter (Kayla Di Venere).

      Campy, silly, wickedly funny and brilliantly bizarre are a few words that best describe Patch Town. Writer/director Craig Goodwill along with co-writers Christopher Bond and Trevor Martin take a very original, imaginative concept and turn into a story of an underdog fighting the system like in Metropolis or, a more kindred spirit, Brazil. Logic and reason get thrown out the door, but that's ok because Patch Town doesn't take itself too seriously despite being a satire. Much of the satirical bits and campy moments might go over children's heads, to be fair, while other children might be scared because the film does have some dark elements and scenes that feel downright creepy. Don't ask about how the musical numbers get incorporated; you'll have to see it to believe it.

      All-in-all, Patch Town might be best experienced while drinking a few beers and could possibly become a cult classic along the lines of another weird sci-fi film, The American Astronaut, which would make for an interesting double-feature. Fortunately, Goodwill keeps the running time down to 1 hour and 25 minutes. If it were any longer, it be exhausting and audiences would probably OD on the film's madness.

---

Spy
Directed by Paul Feig

     

Number of times I checked my watch: 3 Released by 20th Century Fox. Opens nationwide.

---

Testament of Youth
Directed by James Kent

     

Number of times I checked my watch: 3 Released by Sony Pictures Classics. Opens at Angelika Film Center and The Paris Theatre. Questions? Comments? Please click here.


Main Page
Alphabetical Menu
Chronological Menu


______________________________________________________