AKA Birdseye is the saga of an obsessive Colorado sheriff and his trusting teenage son, who risk it all when their twisted reconstruction of a mysterious kidnapping case escalates into a dangerous hunt for a mythical Swiss criminal.
Review
I had no idea what to expect with this film, and it involved a little bit of hunting to find. This was one of those titles you see in an actors filmography that passed me by, and it wasn't until I was asked if I could track it down that I began to take notice of it. In another review somewhere on this site I made the comment that I wish Jaimz Woolvett would do comedy again, with absolutely no idea that this film existed, its not exactly the same sort of comedy but its close enough for me, and I stand by my original observation on the evidence of this film.
The plot is naturally twisty and complex, involving a mysterious guy called Birdseye who is kidnapped and then disappears. He becomes something of a legend when it gets out how he managed to escape when locked in a suitcase and left in a bathroom with only one exit, that was surrounded by police. Naturally his not being found leads to his two would be kidnappers taking the flak, and being accused of his murder but sightings and stories of Birdseye's existence work to create the legend - and an ever present thorn in the side of a sheriff who's job it was to solve the case.
So we have this Mockumentary, that follows the sheriff and his hapless son as they try to close the case once and for all. Jaimz plays Fingers, and associate of the accused, who also has motives for wanting Birdseye dead and possibly could have been involved in the murder. The sheriff suspects him of foul play and sees him as a likely key to solving the mysterious and destroying the myth. Fingers is a musician and a little of the side of crazy, a great combination. I think my favourite scene of the movie is when we visit a group of women who meet up to discuss the latest sightings of Birdseye, have formed a club to support the legend, the man and when we see one of their meetings and how they are all housewifey type ladies drinking tea, the camera moves around and we see Fingers is right there with them, drinking tea and joining in.
Its an interesting film, the comedy is hit and miss, but for me it hit more than miss. It was certainly a great performance by Fred Ward, as the sheriff and showed how one mans obsession can truly be his downfall. It's not a film I will watch over and over, but its a film I'm glad I've watched - its a nice random comedic film, and even got away with a wig joke, just...