The Death of Dick Long Review
R: Pervasive language, disturbing sexual material, and brief drug use
Disributor: A24
Runtime: 1 Hr and 40 minutes
Director: Daniel Scheinert | Writer: Billy Chew
Cast: Michael Abbott Jr., Virginia Newcomb, Andre Hyland, Sarah Baker, Jess Weixler, Janelle Cochrane
Release Date: September 27, 2019 (Limited) | October 8, 2019 (VOD)
Holy crap. Dick is dead. Died last night after band practice, and his bandmates, Zeke and Earl, don’t want anybody finding out how. That’s too bad though, ’cause news travels fast in small-town Alabama, and these guys suck at covering their tracks. The authorities haven’t ID’d the body just yet, but Zeke’s wife and his daughter are getting more and more suspicious.
Every year there is an absurdist comedy that takes the world by storm and they usually tend to come from the beloved A24. The Death of Dick Long is fully an A24 movie and boy does it show. This is directed by one of the Daniels duo, the guys responsible for this oddball gem of a movie:
So, naturally this film is equally as weird. What makes this comedy (set in the country state of Alabama) so consistently funny is both the script and the direction. While the film takes place in a familiar setting, Chow’s script makes the state of Alabama his own odd little world. Every character has a distinctly wacky personality and is thoroughly consistent, for their lines of dialogue are hysterical. The story breathes influences of other comedies of idiocracy. The film bears some of the same twisted humor as a Mike Judge series, the most notable one coming to mind being Beavis and Butthead. While Zeke and Earl are a tad more competent than both Beavis and Butthead, they have the same impeccable chemistry as them. Whether they’re bickering or physically fighting in a hilarious comedic sequence, they have an energy that is entertaining to watch whenever they’re on screen together. Then, the side characters add a lot of their own humor and by God they keep the film’s dark comedic tone consistent. Whenever the film isn’t focused on Earl and Zeke, there is a funny subplot of two sheriffs, one who is determined to crack the case but isn’t so smart (Sarah Baker) and the other is an elder with a dirty sense of humor and a drinking problem (Janelle Cochrane). Even they have a hilarious chemistry. Every character has a chance to shine and their comedic timing is so:
Daniel Scheinert’s direction has a fast-paced style filled with funny little touches and visual gags that add a layer of uniqueness to the town. Think of it as Pawnee from Parks and Rec where the community seems so bland and one-note, but the characters make the town shine. That’s what Scheinert does with Alabama. He also plays around with quick cuts in the vein of a Wright or Cornish film, but the editing delivers home the humor as well. Barely any scene goes on for too long and jokes aren’t run into the ground. The dialogue is snappy, witty, and (most of all) weird which is very much on brand for a film by A24.
There is a central charm to these characters and you genuinely like them all. Yeah, most of them are idiots, especially the leads, but they all mean well. The one I found myself liking the most was Michael Abbott Jr as Zeke. Because the movie centers more on him and his family life than his friendship with Earl, Abbott Jr has to deliver a range, switching from silly to serious, and he does a great job throughout. He has a bit of a Steve Zahn charm where he is able to get wacky with a project, but also knows how to dial a performance back when it nears over-the-top.
If the film doesn’t seem to engage you, it’s worth watching towards the third act because it gets twisted. There is a plot twist that will make you go:
The film begins with Zeke and Earl dropping a deceased Dick Long to the hospital and throughout there is a revolving mystery around his cause of death. Once that mystery unfolds, it’s both the biggest laugh of the movie and the most disturbing aspect. Don’t let anyone spoil the twist for you because it’s something to sit through.
AS I SAID, ONE OF THE DANIELS MADE THIS!
For a film with an immature title, The Death of Dick Long has to be one of the smartest and funniest comedies of the year. It reminded me of another underrated A24 gem of last year, Augustine Frizzell’s Never Goin’ Back. Once that twist occurs, you’re either going to check out or keep going. It is one of those divisive twists. While the film gets darker in a dramatic sense as it progresses, it never devoids itself from its consistent humor. So, take that as you will, I guess.
The Death of Dick Long may sound like a dumb raunchy comedy, but because of the smart and witty script, comedic ensemble performances, and direction, this is one of the funniest comedies of 2019. It may not be for everyone, but it's one that’ll stick with me for the remainder of the year.
Rating: 4/5 | 86%
Super Scene: Earl’s finale song.
