Mother of Movies reviewed filmmaker, Shaun Rose’s micro-budget movie Upstate Story back in 2018. A movie about a loner called Ellis and his life in the doldrums of adulting. Now, years later Rose intends to continue his monologue of just how black and white the day-to-day is with a continuance of his narrative and his new movie Toga. No longer is Ellis working as a cleaner.
Now he works in a grocery store that doubles as a thrift store with what can only be described as a new dead-end job. This time it comes complete with some young twat who likes to torment an already depressed Ellis daily. In a swift U-turn, Ellis gives as good as he has been taking. Much like any slip of the tongue, mistakes in life can lead to new opportunities.
In a confessed no-holds-barred account, Ellis is not a happy camper. He is sporting a large belly, and his kids now older, aren’t sparking as much joy as they did when they were little. However, they still seem to be the highlight of his week, and the rest of his time is spent alone. He lives in a trailer park, continues to drink, and is now contending with the remarkable ability to put on weight by simply looking at food.
When Life Gives You Lemons, Be a Potatoe
Mother of Movies certainly has a soft spot for this filmmaker who again makes movies for reasons that aren’t instantly obvious. As a reflection on his previous movie, I’m leaning towards filmmaking being Rose’s platform to put his story out into the universe. No more, no less. Why write a book when you can make a film with the sentiment of the shittiness of life that reminds people that it can be worse. T
Toga as a narrative is a lot darker than its predecessor. There is less “light at the end of the tunnel mentality.” What it does do, though, is accurately explain the cyclic nature of depression. We try, fall, stay there, get up, and try again. Toga is the poster child of why we should try even when things seem pointless.
This time Ellis dwells on his resignation towards something akin to the flash mob mentality that celebrates life. He is considering taking on a new job as a videographer for a filmmaker. Toga is peppered with relatable anecdotes, much like Upstate Story was, only this time there is less comedic sass. Toga is the epitome of life on the fringe of almost middle-class.
Ellis as a man reminds me of those people you meet that never aspire to be anything more but sometimes dream about what that might look like. Content in their beige-ness. Not interesting nor boring, his small enjoyments come from watching his lazy bearded dragon moving about or eating a burger with its essential sauce packets added. As if the only flavor he can add to life is through an item that doesn’t celebrate object permanence.
Toga 2023, Watch it
You can watch Toga on YouTube along with his previous films for free. I encourage you to jump onto IMBD.com and support the film by rating it, commenting on it, or doing all those things on the video itself.
Watch Free Movies In Black and White – Toga 2023
Toga 2023 is rated
3.5 Get flavor into your life any way you can out of 5
What should I watch Next?
For a more laugh-out-loud comedy, watch Senior Year or The Retirement Plan next.
