The Whole Shootin' Match is by definition a regional independent film, complete with low budget production, regional actors, regional feel and setting, and improvised scripting. That said, it is surprisingly very entertaining. Its easy to see the charm in the film if you're from the area, some of the jokes are a entirely local. At the start of the film I honestly wasn't sure how much I would enjoy it given the content. Sonny Davis plays Frank, a man who's cheating on his wife and is trying to get rich. If you don't take this too seriously, it is a surface for comedy. Also, it should be mentioned that Sonny Davis is hilarious. He talked to my class after a screening of the film and I am so glad that I stayed. This film is quite endearing, perhaps because of Davis' explanation of its inspiration and the process of making the film, etc, which was entirely endearing on its own. The film's main characters, Frank and Lloyd, are quite a pair. Throughout the film Frank for some reason is owed a part of the credit to Lloyds' get rich quick inventions, yet his input was nonexistent. Frank cheats on his wife, and even when he confesses this to his wife and promises to try to be better, continues to flirt with other ladies. A local cop tries to woo Frank's wife and buys their son, T-Frank, a fancy bike which Frank refuses to let him keep. Despite how this sounds, the dialog is genuine and funny. A lot of the dialog in the film was improvised with practice, playing off of the actors own life experiences (Davis tells about his own father's "get rich slow" schemes) giving the film a "slice of life" feel. It's a shame that for several years the film was virtually lost, it is quite enjoyable. Despite your reservations about independent film, give the film a chance, it wont disappoint. There were numerous parts of the film that will have you laughing, and at other times you will perhaps be able to relate.
Review of The Whole Shootin' Match
