SXSW Review: Barry Munday

You can read more of contributor Laurie Coker's SXSW reviews and features at True View Reviews.

One of the things that never fails to surprise me for good or bad, when I attend SXSW or any other film festival, is the fact that some extremely crappy films, like say last year's Observe and Report, can get funding and distribution from the likes of Warner Brothers and other far better films have to seek private promoters or never get released at all. Barry Munday, a movie from filmmaker Chris D'Arienzo, making his delightful directorial debut, still waits to be picked up by a major studio. It is a remarkably simple and entertaining film about a man who, after waking up to find his testicles gone, discovers what it really mean to be a man. It is a coming of age for a thirtysomething-year-old and it is good.

Patrick Wilson (Watchmen, Hard Candy), whom I had the pleasure to interview at SXSW, plays the titular character, a fellow who envisions himself as a real ladies man and who appears to be perpetually stuck in the 90s. Wilson himself refers to Barry as "definitely douchey, but not a bad guy." And he's right.

Barry, bouncing back from what is clearly the most difficulty pitfall for any man, simply loves women and imagines himself quite the ladies man, and after the "accident," he views life far differently. From his odd strut to his braided belt, Wilson embodies the man whom most woman would laugh at and still he manages to get himself in trouble (i.e. losing his manhood, because of a gal), but not before he impregnates a woman (hilarious Judy Greer) with whom he cannot remember sleeping. Barry is surprising endearing and from his clothes to his attitude, he anthropomorphizes a man trapped in his glory days, who paradoxically has to lose his manhood in order to really become a man.

Now on to Greer, whom I spoke with too – what a delight she is. At first, I nearly detested her character Ginger for her out-and-out meanness and bitterness, even in the face of Barry who is really trying to do right by her and the baby. Ginger wears some of the ugliest clothes and her hair is a mass of frizz and curls, unlike her pretty and nicer sister, Jennifer (Chloe Sevigny). Sevigny is playing her first comedic role and when I spoke to her she told me she hoped she is funny. She is. Ginger is the less pretty, less likable daughter and the one whom we grow to really love, in spite of her unpleasantness.

Bottom line: I truly enjoyed Barry Munday. Its characters are rich and interesting and the story offers a fresh take on romance with a real feel in what seems like a completely ridiculous situation. The cast --which also includes Jean Smart, Malcolm McDowell, Cybill Shepherd and Billy Dee Williams -- hits every mark, making for a delightful ride. In person the leads are as endearing as the characters and I appreciated getting to speak to them.

I hope Barry Munday finds its way and its distributors. Wilson (who also typically plays in dramas) and Greer have a personal and onscreen chemistry that fills the air and I loved both the film and meeting them. I am placing an A- in my grade book. Bravo to Chris D'Arienzo. I hope more and more people get to see it.

Barry Munday plays SXSW one more time -- tonight (Wed. 3/17) at 7:15 pm at Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar.