Written and directed by lead actor Joe Kramer, co-written by Christian Sarkis Graham, who also stars in the short, a slacker alien shirks his mission to detonate Earth, when he falls for one of its baristas. Suddenly, our survival depends on whether the space-schmuck can get her number, before his plucky partner blows us sky high. Also starring: Ignacyo Matynia, Kristen Vaganos, Tony Rossi and Kirsty Cheslyn.
We’ve seen a lot of slacker comedy films over the years from Bill & Ted to Wayne’s World and more recent additions like Scott Pilgrim vs. The World or Step Brothers, so how can Higher Grounds set itself apart? Well, firstly by making its slacker an alien. It works surprisingly well, giving more territory for the comedy to explore and approach all the idiosyncrasies of being human with a different perspective. It follows a lot of the similar themes, particularly being led astray by a chance encounter with a pretty stranger but that other-worldly view, keeps it feeling new.
Jumping in with a strong use of colour and high energy, it’s like mixing the 1990s with a touch of absurdism. The style is easy-going and has that feel of anything could happen, it’s just rolling with the punches. There’s a slightly wacky sense of humour at work and the directorial style works well with that, it leans into the exaggeration but doesn’t go over the top or rely too much on effects. That said, the makeup work could use a bit of work, with some finer touches to the body paint.
A big part of the charm of any misadventure or bizarre quest is the characters, if the audience doesn’t invest in them, then it’s not going to work, and Joe Kramer and Christian Sarkis Graham understood that assignment. Both in their writing and performances, Kramer leads the way with a classic mix of confident, self-obsessed and a debilitating weakness for women, alien or not. It’s not an easy character to pull off today while still making them feel likable but Kramer does a great job, he’s effortless to watch and funny.
Ignacyo Matynia then takes on the beloved mantle of sidekick as Razzorakk, constantly being pushed around by Ralff (Kramer), capturing those qualities of loyalty, sweetness and naivety. The two of them make for a very familiar pair and have a great buddy chemistry. Again, it’s another element of the film that’s playing with a lot of what we’ve seen before but adding its own spin.
Higher Grounds is an entertaining twist on the slacker comedy, following a familiar formula but taking it in a new direction. It’s funny, lively and has a fantastic handle on being just absurd enough while remaining surprisingly human. It’s well shot to keep that flexible and freewheeling atmosphere going strong, the use of colour adds a great energy, and Kramer and Matynia make for an enjoyably hapless duo.
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