Written and directed by Gregory J.M. Kasunich, a feel-good movie about a puppet that kills himself. Otis, a beloved puppet on a long-running children’s show, faces an existential crisis just before the series’ milestone 300th episode. Starring: Jonathan Kite, Amanda Maddock, Lenny Jacobson, Thomas Lennon, Jason Sklar, Randy Sklar, Dylan Playfair, Dylan Mooney, Anna Chazelle, Kayla Jenee Radomski and Ryan Colt Levy.
Starting with an oldie but a goodie, Meeting Your Maker takes something so traditionally and inescapably wholesome and turns it into something dark and depressive. It’s a formula that works for very good reason, it’s undeniably entertaining to see a suicidal puppet, turning the norm entirely on its head. Gregory J.M. Kasunich creates a great black humour, while also creating a genuine satire of the industry which comes with a lot of frustration and underappreciation.
The comedic side of things is really consistent and great viewing, but the heart of Meeting Your Maker lies in what comes later. When it gets to grips with what this story is actually about, and that’s losing sight of your passion. How the daily grind and pressures of the job can totally eradicate the memory of why you do that job in the first place. Within that is something sincere, touching and brings the film full circle back to that wholesome place.
Visually it’s also ticking all the right boxes, the puppetry is excellent and having that backdrop of such everyday settings when we’re so used to puppets being surrounded by softness and colour, is a satisfying contrast. It immediately adds this captivating grit, especially since the cinematography from William Hellmuth is so strong and sharp. All of which is then added to with the performance from Jonathan Kite who is terrific. He translates the story so well through both Otis to The Puppeteer, making them two sides of the same coin. He brings a great level of emotion and he’s inherently relatable and sympathetic, especially for anyone who’s ever had a job that made them feel like they were (or are) losing the will to live.
Meeting Your Maker has an excellent sense of humour, it’s dark yet wholesome, the story is funny and emotional. It has a great balance of that darker side with its sweet side, they feel in perfect harmony. Gregory J.M. Kasunich brings a real sincerity to the table, which is well portrayed by Jonathan Kite. It’s satirical, touching, well shot and holds an unexpectedly meaningful message.
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