“Rent A Pal” comes set in an era where videotapes were cool. Rollerskating was an epic idea for a first date and matchmaking was done via a series of recorded sessions. David is a man who lives in the basement of his parent’s house, his father is long gone, and his mother with dementia. More often than not, his mother thinks David is his father, not remembering his suicide and with only momentary clarity from time to time. David is lonely.
So lonely that a VHS tape in a bargain bin with the promising title of Rent-A-Pal seems like the most exciting thing to happen to him in a while. Jon Stevenson’s debut feature for writing and directing takes David into a Groundhog Day-type interlude with Andy. Played by Will Wheaton, Andy is as compelling as everything else in this slightly bent thriller movie.
Rent A Pal Review
In the Rent A Pal movie, David and Andy quickly become fast friends. Through playing the VHS tape over and over Andy’s spiel adapts to David’s life as if he was in it. He makes it better and David shines under the spell of having the friend he pines for. Cinematography is detailed to its 90s’ setting down to a fine art. Somehow the outside world almost mirrors the universe from inside the television set. It’s as if Andy could simply step out of it at any moment.
Rent A Pal Movie Trailer
Rent A Pal Movie is a Psycho-thriller Movies 2020
When David is finally matched with his favorite lady Lisa at the dating service, it’s easy to think his luck has finally changed. Lisa is even more attentive than Andy. More supportive and understanding and also willing to work through anything David throws her way. There are some uplifting and endearing moments between Lisa and David and, David and his mother.
Brian Landis Folkins as David is a delightful rendition of every character you’ve ever seen who gets overlooked and underappreciated. Every time David gets the short end of a very long stick, I think of Milton from the 1999 film Office Space and wondered at what point this guy was going to blow. At the end of the day, David is still likable. That is, he’s likable until some almighty switch is flipped. The ensuing violence is both shocking and mildly clumsy in its execution. Thriller fans who weren’t looking for a dose of quick horror may find themselves at the mercy of the final act.
I want to say the Rent-A-Pal movie ending was a disappointment. But I think I was more disappointed in the character that was David. He let me down in a way I wasn’t expecting and his timing was uncomfortably cruel.
Rent A Pal is rated
3.5 never waste lasagne out of 5
Letcrashthisparade YouTube channel talks about the Rent-a-Pal movie in depth.
Rent A Pal Streaming
- Director: Jon Stevenson
- The Rent A Pal movie will be available across the USA in select theatres from September 11th, 2020.
- Cast for Rent A Pal: Brian Landis Folkins (HOAX), Wil Wheaton (Stand By Me & Pooka), Kathleen Brady (Breaking Bad), Amy Rutledge (Neighbor)
- Runtime: 108 Minutes
- Distributor: IFC Midnight
