I like a movie that teaches me something, however useless the information may be . . .
. . . in
Roman, we learn how they get the pork throughout the pork and beans. It's an interesting story but best told by "the girl" (Kristen Bell) and retold by Roman (Lucky McKee) himself to gain acceptance by the motley crew he works with – I will let you enjoy that for yourself in the film.
Roman was also an interesting study in the usefulness of the Stick Up. I couldn't help but wonder if the workers at the grocery store wondered when a quirky man came in purchasing beans, beers and Stick Ups in bulk. . . I mean, really that's gotta raise a red flag somewhere along the line don't ya think?
Roman was a lonely man who seemed to live his life watching others. He had no television, no friends and no hobbies to speak . . . well unless you consider his habit of watching the girl. Every day at a certain time he would sit with his blinds open beer and cigarette in hand waiting for her to come home, then he worked up the courage to get his mail at the same time. He somehow (unfortunately for the girl) finally worked the courage up to have beers with her and invite her out for dinner. When she tried to put it off for a few days, things did not go quite as planned and hence the need for all of the Stick Ups. This also prompted the need for Roman to live off pork and beans and bottles of the beer he had shared with the girl.
But lo and behold in the wacky world of Roman apparently when it rains it pours as he meets another beautiful tenant with an affinity for the insane. Enter Eva (Nectar Rose) who is just as quirky as Roman in her own macabre way. Their relationship is weird to say the least and it becomes difficult for Roman to balance his ongoing tryst with pieces of the girl which he often takes to picnic and his real time romance with Eva who questions if he gets her at all.
There were so many curious circumstances that took place in this film it is hard to just pull a few and talk about them. I have to say that one of my favorite parts was when Roman did finally get an old black and white TV from one of his workmates; he always watched this strange little show on what looked to be a Spanish station. It seemed to me as though it was some sort of
dia de los muertos show with a skeleton riding around on what looked to be a dog with the skeleton's heart singing . . . very odd indeed.
I also quite enjoyed the version of the song I Don't Want to Play in Your Yard. Quite honestly folks, if given the choice, I am not playing anywhere near Roman's yard never mind in it. Bad things seem to happen in the realm of Roman.
If you were a fan of May or of Lucky McKee in general, definitely see
Roman. If not, I would still catch it. Matter of fact I think I will watch it again, I liked it that much. Interestingly enough, even though it had a very "May-like" plot it was really different in a multitude of ways. A definite recommend in case you couldn't already tell.
Roman Movie Cast and Credits
Directed by
Angela Bettis
Writing credits
Lucky McKee writer
Cast (in credits order)
Lucky McKee ... Roman
Nectar Rose ... Eva
Kristen Bell ... The Girl
Ben Boyer ... Russ
Mike McKee ... Leroy Wolf
Jesse Hlubik ... Jesse
Chris Sivertson ... Lanky Worker
Ernie Banks ... Cyrus
Adam Gierasch ... Boyd
Eddie Steeples ... Detective
Thomas Beaumont ... The Waiter
Vanessa Menendez ... Hedda Gabler
Lotus Harmony ... 2nd Dream Girl
Pancho Alvarez ... Lunch Room Worker
Steve Copeland ... Lunch Room Worker
Mike Duso ... Lunch Room Worker
Kevin Ford ... Lunch Room Worker
Juan Malara ... Lunch Room Worker
Albert DiMarco ... Elixer Bluff Acting Troup (voice)
Jonathan DiMarco ... Elixer Bluff Acting Troup (voice)
Angela Bettis ... Elixer Bluff Acting Troup (voice)
James Duval ... Goth Dude (scenes deleted)
Dave Lopez ... Jose
Luke Y. Thompson ... French Waiter / Cashier (scenes deleted)
More Roman Movie Reviews
Roman Movie Review from Horror ExpressMovie Review of Roman from Horror-Movies.ca
