If you like your late night movies weird and eccentric, Laguna Ave may be the perfect film for you. Directed by David Buchanan and written by Paul Papadeas, the story follows a disaffected former musician with a prosthetic hand, Russell (Russell Steinberg), who is drawn into the mysterious and sinister world of his downstairs neighbour. Laguna Ave is a film that has been created with a budget of next to nothing. Buchanan has fully embraced the concept of no-budget filmmaking; this is a movie that wears its humble beginnings as a badge of honour. Buchanan also proves that no budget doesn’t mean that your movie has to be devoid of originality or character. Laguna Ave presents the exact opposite argument as it throws everything and more into its spritely eighty minute runtime. Over the course of the film the viewer is confronted by gigantic Hellboy-sized robot hands, a vibrator attack that A Good Woman is Hard to Find would be proud of, and a rogue turd in the workplace. Laguna Ave always has something hiding up its sleeve.
Although made for next to nothing, the team have been clever by presenting their film in black and white. The monochrome colours mask a multitude of potential sins that would have screamed off of the screen in technicolor. It also plays into the nineties affectations that cover the majority of Laguna Ave, channeling Kevin Smith’s Clerks and Belgian film, Man Bites Dog. The choice of the black and white picture tones down the sillier aspects of the story, making things feel a little more sensible and serious, a move which is needed to keep most viewers onboard.
Other influences on the project clearly include John Waters (the turd in the office being a nod to Pink Flamingos) and his wacky sense of fun. All of these elements are bundled together inside a Melrose Place type environment under the cover of a film noir story. Laguna Ave is a gonzo, wild adventure that’s eccentricity means that it is more than worthy of its late night slot.
Laguna Ave
Summary
A black and white science-fiction film noir, peppered with nineties affectations, Laguna Ave wears its eccentricities loud and proud, announcing itself as a new contender on the late night genre circuit.
Laguna Ave was reviewed at Arrow Video FrightFest 2021.
