Watch Middle Man
- TV-MA
- 2016
- 1 hr 44 min
-
5.8 (871)
Middle Man is a dark comedy film that premiered at the 2016 Seattle International Film Festival. The movie follows the journey of an aspiring stand-up comedian named Lenny (played by Jim O'Heir), as he embarks on a road trip to Las Vegas to kick start his career in comedy. Along the way, he takes a detour to a small town in New Mexico, where he meets a strange hitchhiker named Hitch (played by Andrew J. West).
Lenny and Hitch hit it off, and soon they become partners in crime. Hitch convinces Lenny to become a vigilante serial killer and to document the murders on his way to Las Vegas. Lenny at first is hesitant but he becomes more and more enthralled with the idea of being a killer, and starts to enjoy the violent acts that he is committing. Meanwhile, the murders are catching the attention of a local detective named McGaughlin (played by Josh McDermitt), who is hot on their trail.
Middle Man is a twisted film, but it also manages to strike a balance between being humorous and having moments of seriousness. The performances are top-notch, with Jim O'Heir being a standout as the naive and clueless Lenny. His character is the perfect foil to Hitch's twisted, cunning and manipulative personality. Andrew J. West is also great as Hitch, who is at turns charming and dangerous.
One of the most interesting aspects of the movie is how it deals with the idea of fame and the lengths people will go to be famous. Lenny's dream of becoming a famous comedian blinds him to the fact that he's committing murder, while Hitch's twisted psyche is fueled by the idea of being responsible for something that will go down in history. This idea of fame being an obsession in our culture is explored in a way that's both entertaining and enlightening.
The movie is shot beautifully and looks great on the screen. The road trip portion of the film is filled with gorgeous scenery that contrasts with the dark subject matter. The score of the movie is also notable, as it fully immerses the viewer in the story, with Adam Lastiwka's music setting the perfect tone for the film.
The humor in the movie is dark and twisted, but it's still funny. The film has a unique sense of humor that will appeal to those who enjoy dark comedy. The film's tone is not too heavy or too light, it's a perfect balance that keeps the viewer engaged without giving into the cheesiness that sometimes we see in comedy movies.
The movie starts off slow, but once it picks up speed, it's a wild ride. The viewer is kept on the edge of their seat, wondering what will happen next. The ending is satisfying and it ties everything up nicely. The movie is not perfect, and there are some issues with pacing and character development, but overall, it's an entertaining and thought-provoking film.
In conclusion, Middle Man is a dark comedy that delves into the twisted psyche of two men who will do anything to become famous. It's a great blend of humor and darkness, and the performances are top-notch. The film is not perfect, but it's well worth watching for anyone who enjoys dark comedies with a twist. The film is a testament to the talent that exists in independent cinema today, and it's definitely worth checking out.
Middle Man is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8 and a MetaScore of 37.