I had high hopes for The Sasquatch Dumpling Gang. I was encouraged by good festival reviews and a growing cult fan base in the US. But sometimes movies go straight-to-video for a reason.
The film was written and directed by Tim Skousen, who was first assistant director on Napoleon Dynamite, and it was produced and edited by Jeremy Coon, who performed the same roles on that geek hit comedy. The bloodline from that film to this is pure – it's just the laughs that are missing.
Our heroes are Gavin and Hobie, two fantasy role-playing, white-trash nerds whose friendship is tested by Gavin's relationship with video store geek Sophie.
When they stumble upon what are supposedly Sasquatch footprints and poo – hence, the dumpling - they think it'll help them win a bet with local bullies. Meanwhile, redneck dimwits Zerk and Shirts plan to get rich off Bigfoot to save their beloved car.
The plot's slim, and even a Rashomon multiple viewpoint structure can't add needed verve. The young cast deliver sometimes thin performances hampered by dialogue that tries unsuccessfully to ape Napoleon Dynamite's successful blend of heart, naiveté and parody.
Justin Long as Zerk comes up with a few laughs – but his offsider, Shirts, is a dreadful character - like a live-action version of Beavis. It might've been funny in 1995.
Awkward and embarrassing when it should be breezily entertaining, this doesn't even measure up as Napoleon Dynamite-lite. It is better than the recent Eagle Vs Shark, but that ain't saying much.
Painful as it is to dump on the gang, this rates one and half stars.
