A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon

Screened on Kino Lorber blu-ray.

Oh my god. Oh. My. God. OMG.

Since I truly don't know where to begin with this film, I've decided .... not to begin with this film, anywhere. If and when you see it, it will be clear and self-evident the issues afoot here speak for themselves. What I can say at least though, seeing A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon finally, for the first time since its 1988 theatrical debut, is that I'm genuinely surprised to an extent that this hasn't become a campy cult film for the weekend midnight circuit.

Jimmy Reardon is hard to describe as anything other than the messiest film I've ever seen. A trainwreck, or a dumpster fire if you will, but because of that, its also wildly entertaining - for a one time watch (a repeat viewing is not in the calendar quite yet). Sticking with the film (and thankfully a normal, short run time) is like begging for more evidence after more evidence, as its terribly difficult to trust your own eyes. But the film was not shy in providing evidence, rest assured - one strange, messy scene after another. It's hard to keep your eyes off it, I suppose feeling safe in the knowing you'll NEVER watch it again.

This experience was not what I was expecting, but it was also equally clear Jimmy Reardon had no idea what it was either, from one take to the next. Everything about this mess, and that is the key word you can take away from this review - MESS - is that its both fascinating and baffling to where its also entertaining, just for all the wrong reasons. Think Nicolas Cage in Vampire's Kiss.

If you want to have some fun where you can shut your brain off (or the film will do it for you, don't worry), especially with a group of friends, or an equally appreciative crowd of cinephiles at one of those midnight screenings this deserves, then a night with Jimmy Reardon so do you good.