Watch Lawrence and Holloman

Lawrence and Holloman is a dark comedy film that was released in 2013. The film is based on the play of the same name by Canadian playwright Morris Panych, who also co-wrote the screenplay with director Matthew Kowalchuk. The film stars Ben Cotton as Lawrence, a successful and confident salesman, and Daniel Arnold as Holloman, a lonely and depressed office clerk. The film also features Katharine Isabelle in a supporting role as Zooey, an eccentric artist and Lawrence's love interest.

The film opens with Lawrence and Holloman meeting by chance at a coffee shop. Lawrence is immediately drawn to Holloman's pathetic demeanor and decides to befriend him. What follows is a strange and twisted relationship between the two men, as Lawrence consistently manipulates and mistreats Holloman. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Lawrence is not the person he appears to be, as he is plagued by deep-rooted insecurities and a need for dominance.

As their friendship develops, Lawrence helps Holloman to gain confidence and become more assertive. However, his motives are far from noble, as he only does so to prove his own superiority. The film is a commentary on the toxic nature of masculinity and the lengths some men will go to in order to assert their dominance over others.

One of the film's strengths is its sharp dialogue, which perfectly captures the play's dark humor. The conversations between Lawrence and Holloman are often uncomfortable, but also funny and insightful. The film's satirical tone is often reminiscent of films like American Psycho and In Bruges, as it presents a twisted world where people's flaws are amplified for comedic effect.

The film's visual style is also noteworthy, as it presents a hyper-realized version of Vancouver, where the film is set. The city is portrayed as a cold and soulless place, where everyone is out for themselves. The film's vivid color palette and stylized cinematography add to the surreal atmosphere.

The performances in the film are also excellent. Ben Cotton and Daniel Arnold have incredible chemistry and their scenes together are a joy to watch. Cotton is especially impressive as Lawrence, delivering a nuanced performance that reveals the character's darker side without resorting to caricature. Katharine Isabelle is also great in her role as Zooey, injecting some much-needed levity into the film.

Overall, Lawrence and Holloman is a darkly funny and thought-provoking film that tackles complex themes with wit and intelligence. It is a great example of the type of low-budget independent filmmaking that is thriving in Canada. The film may be too bleak and uncomfortable for some audiences, but for those who enjoy challenging and unconventional cinema, it is well worth seeking out.

Lawrence and Holloman is a 2015 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8.