AFF Review: Stoner

When I moved to Austin in 1993, I was stunned by the overwhelming and fairly open marijuana use, especially amongst my fellow UT classmates. Apparently that hasn't changed much, as evidenced in UT graduate Michael Greene's first feature film about his college experiences in the indie comedy Stoner. Greene writes, directs, and acts in this film, which centers around the lead character Michael as he prepares for graduation. How he's managing to graduate is a mystery, since he's more of a "wake and bake" stoner with a dead-end job in a copy center, unable to get to work on time.

Then there's Michael's trio of roommates who don't make it any easier to avoid smoking out on their back porch. Mark (Eddie Mathis) is the Casanova of the group who attracts the ladies but isn't really wanting to commit. Kerem Sanga (Producer/Actor) graduated from UT Austin plays Kirun, straight-laced socially inept bookworm, who has a crush on Mark's last conquest, Becky (Caitlin Rose). Roomie Dan (Dan Bui) is being stalked by the friendly stranger Kuldeep (Aravindh Ragunathan), whose question "What are your dreams?" is a hook to get the reluctant Dan to a motivational speaker's session.

Though the pacing at times is a bit off and parts of Stoner could be tightened up, it's forgiveable in a stoner movie where you'd expect long banal conversations. Michael Greene shows a lot of potential in writing dialogue as seen in exchanges between some of the central characters. One such conversation is Michael's interaction with his mom, played by Cyndi Williams (The Cassidy Kids, Registered Sex Offender), after his incarceration for possession of a controlled substance.

Despite the story focusing mostly Michael dealing with bad judgment calls made under the influence, the character development of Kirun stands out the most for its comic moments.  Weed might have nothing but bad repercussions for Michael, but for Kirun his first foray enables him to relax and enjoy his life a bit more. Ultimately Stoner does not really condone or condemn the use of marijuana, but just chronicles the different effects it had on a group of friends during their time at UT Austin.

Austin Connections: Most of the writers, producers, and cast attended and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin. Cyndi Williams is an award-winning playwright and a member of the Acting Company at Austin Playhouse.

Notable Austin Locations: Filmed in various locations across Austin, including Austin Java and the University of Texas campus.