Jamie Babbit's Addicted to Fresno is a fun, playful dark comedy that manages to hit the right dramatic beats, delivering a film that is surprisingly powerful in its deconstruction of the negative aspects of dependency. Shannon, a sex addict, has just quit rehab and reconnected with his sister Martha, a kind, good-intentioned woman. Martha, a hotel maid, is able to get Shannon a job at her employer as well, but things fall apart quickly when Shannon's sex addiction leads to an accidental death. Addicted to Fresno is a fast-paced, unpredictable comedy that uses a sharp, edgy script and great lead performances to deliver a funny and resonant film about two sisters who are each struggling with their own unique set of issues. Judy Greer really steals the film as Shannon, a crude, cold buzzkill sister whose appetite for sex masks her hatred for herself. Not a satire like Jamie Babbit's wonderful But I'm A Cheerleader, Addicted to Fresno plays more like a traditional outlandish comedy, delivering set piece after set piece of hilarious absurdity. There are lots of memorable sequences in Addicted to Fresno, from Shannon's impromtu blowjob lessons sequence, to a hilarious bar mitzvah sequence involving a gangster rap loving 13 year old, but the film works so well thanks to its ability to touch on its dramatic beats in a very organic, heart-felt way. The film is a comedy first, but as it progresses it becomes increasingly clear that Shannon is a character who uses sex as a way of not having to deal with commitment, afraid of showing her feelings or letting her guard down, which turns out to be a very dangerous mix when compared to her kind-hearted sister. Martha is a character who is so intent on helping others that she doesn't spend the time to help herseflf, and the film's greatest dramatic aspect is its ability to capture how these two characters simply shouldn't be close to one-and-other, as they both inadvertently re-enforce each others bad habits. While those expecting another sharp satire like But I'm A Cheerleader are bound to be disappointed, Addicted to Fresno's still meets its lesser intentions of delivering an extremely funny comedic adventure with heart, making it one of the funnier films of the year.
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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