By MATTHEW C. DUPÉE
Starring Sean Whalen, Rebekah Kennedy and Daniel Roebuck
Directed by Sean Whalen
Written by Jim Wald and Sean Whalen
Anchor Bay Entertainment
Actor Sean Whalen, known for his roles in various genre films like Wes Craven’s People Under the Stairs, nails his directorial debut with CRUST, the tale of a washed-up child actor named Vegas Winter (Whalen) who hides his true identity by working and living in a beat-up laundromat where he passes the time with his drunken pal, Russ (Daniel Roebuck), and a growing collection of lost socks. After he’s exposed (literally) by a band of bullies and his true identity is revealed, Vegas is forced to confront his insecurities and self-loathing by considering taking part in a reboot of his childhood sitcom. Vegas grapples with his mental health and spirals out of control. Having spilled many bodily fluids into his emotional-support pile of lost socks, it’s only when Vegas’ tears of anguish and desperation transform the sock pile into a cooing sweetheart who becomes his biggest advocate and fearsome protector. Affectionately named Crust, the sock-pile-cum-monster-pet helps (and hurts) Vegas with his complicated relationships with new girlfriend Nila (Rebekah Kennedy), ex-wife (Felissa Rose), rival childhood actor (Alan Ruck) as well as with friends and foes alike. Can Vegas save himself from the pains of isolation and former stardom? Can he overcome his insecurities and fears over self-worth and restart his acting career? Will he abandon his friends Russ, Crust and even Nila, as he had been abandoned by so many before, just for another shot at fame?
Whalen takes a creature feature concept and turns it inside out with a poignant look at mental health – particularly those trapped in a deep depression and wracked by anxiety – while taking aim at Hollywood’s delusions of grandeur. The witty script showcases Whalen’s acting chops and the impressive talents of his supporting cast. The stunning Rebekah Kennedy will steal your heart as Vegas’ mysterious yet irresistible love interest, Nila. The pair share a palatable chemistry and dynamic bond that melds quirky humor with an emotional kaleidoscope of love, support, fear, and despair. Of course, this is all punctuated by the campy and hilarious appearance of Crust, a 15-pound sock puppet that protects Vegas at all costs.
CRUST unfolds almost entirely within the confines of the dingy laundromat, a visual challenge to keep interesting that is nonetheless overcome by the slick black-and-white photography and the vintage lenses chosen by cinematographer Jaren Lewis. The film’s location (an actual laundromat north of Los Angeles, before its renovation), deepens the authenticity and amps up the overall production value. This black-and-white canvas also allows for the film’s noir sensibilities to emerge, including a subplot involving a paranormal investigator and his twin brother, a Bogart-style private detective who suspects Crust is behind the murder of Vegas’ rivals.
CRUST is a sweet and savory charcuterie of delectable achievements. Between the laughs and the irreverent campiness of a bodily fluid-encrusted sock monster, Whalen delivers powerful moments through several monologues that reveal the vulnerabilities associated with crippling depression — something Whalen admits he struggled with in real life and served as inspiration for the story and his performance. Balancing the seriousness of the content is Whalen’s self-deprecating and irreverent humor, all maximized by cameo appearances from scream queen Felissa Rose, Alan Ruck, Ricky Dean Logan, and Charles Chudabala. CRUST is unpredictable and satisfyingly refreshing. Hints of a potential sequel during the film’s conclusion offer an exciting supposition for what Whalen has in store next. We can’t wait.
