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When Schubert's “Walking the Walk” hits, it
really manages to hit and strikes rather positive chords. One of my
favorite scenes involves the cast pouting over not being able to afford
color while the screen transforms into black and white. Some of
Schubert's
in-jokes work well, especially the funny scene with Gerri Manthie’s
proposal for a cameo which ends up actually being a cameo of the film
within the film, and the mocking of the fade-in, and the black screen
while voices talk over it. Schubert takes the usual cliché devices of film
and uses them to his advantage, especially the scenario of him in a bar
trying to cast D list celebrities for the film, and half the time it
tends to work and work well. Much of the dialogue is also very clever
with some sharp one-liners, and a cast of people who look like they’re
having fun. Schubert and his son are hilarious, especially when interacting
as his son caters to his father’s perverted escapades. And then there’s
Megan Stansfield who ends up being a sight for sore eyes. Funny enough,
Schubert realizes that and attempts to place her on-screen as often as
possible.
Schubert’s “Walking the Walk” is one part “Get Shorty,” and two parts “The Last Shot.” Sadly, though, it’s yet another
independent feature exploring the journey of a group of people
struggling to get their own vision of a great film created. Granted,
independent filmmakers can give some interesting insight into their
attempts to get films made, but eventually the concept gets worn out,
and you begin to see that nothing new can be shared. Schubert’s efforts with
“Walking the Walk” are rather evident, and it’s a commitment on-screen
with a film about people playing out of work actors trying to get the perfect
film made at $7,000 and admittedly having a bitch of a time doing so.
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Sadly, “Walking the Walk” is too
self-aware to be overly enjoyable. For a film that describes
itself as a mockumentary, it never resembles a documentary
to begin with. It’s really just Schubert and his friends playing
these characters in an attempt to finance and begin their film.
Many gags involving production for the film would have gone
off with much more sharp adequacy if played with enough good
timing. |
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The Macguffin, making a film on a 7,000
budget, is never very interesting especially when you can consider
that films have been made on budgets of literally 500 bucks and
lower, and pulled off some wonderful work, and when that anchor
isn’t sold well, there’s the flat humor. A blow-up doll, and some
porn jokes smack of scraping the bottom of the barrel, and for such
a clever premise, and Schubert’s knack for comedic acting, it’s a
misstep.
Schubert’s “Walking the Walk” is an admittedly
flawed affair with hit and miss comedy, and a concept that’s not as
interesting as it should be. But Schubert undercuts that with clever
dialogue, some humorous situations, and the obligatory hot chick.
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