Andy (Jeremy M. Evans) is effectively a nobody. He’s an accountant for a corrupt plastic surgeon, Shifflett (Jonathan Buckley), who seems to intentionally make Andy’s life miserable. One day Andy decides that he will steal three million dollars from his boss and hit the road, hoping that this will make his life better. He’s tired of being a nobody, he wants to be Andy Somebody.
Every once in a while you come across a film that’s so stupid that it’s funny–Andy Somebody is the perfect example of that. Andy Somebody is driven almost entirely by comedy, and it outshines nearly every other aspect of the film from beginning to end. With that the comedy better be damn good, and it better be able to support an entire film from start to finish. For some viewers it’s highly likely that they listen to the comedy developed by Writer Evans and Writer-Director Jesse David Ing and roll their eyes, unable to appreciate all that is being said and done. For me, however, the absurdities that constantly pour from the mouths of nearly every character like vomit made me laugh out loud on numerous occasions. To be able to develop comedy that holds no weight in the grand scheme of the world, but still manages to reach viewers and propel a film forward is a massive challenge–but comedy of this nature plays out throughout the entirety of the film.
Andy Somebody is a really silly film, and I believe that it presents viewers the opportunity to kick back, relax, and enjoy a mindless film–if they choose to view the film this way. Andy Somebody has the ability to be a mindless journey through the absurd, but it possesses layers of narrative as well. It’s not often that you find a film so wonderfully dimwitted and so beautifully articulate at the same time, but Andy Somebody manages to be just that–a stellar combination of both.
Again, the simplicity of the comedy–humor that transcends the entirety of the film and allows views the chance to constantly laugh out loud–keeps things simple enough for simple-minded viewers (or viewers that just need a break from life). However, on the other hand, Andy represents an underrepresented and underappreciated piece of society. He’s the working class man that often flies under the radar or is rewarded for their hard work with more responsibilities. Andy Somebody represents the everyman, and viewers (with the help of the simple comedy) are able to understand and appreciate this aspect of the film.
There’s no doubt in my mind that Evans and Ing made a conscious decision to create two pieces of this film that juxtapose one another so wonderfully well, because their approach allows every piece of Andy Somebody to come to life in vibrant and effective ways. In creating two unique cinematic perspectives throughout the course of Andy Somebody, Evans and Ing effectively invite a wide variety of viewers into the film’s orbit and potentially allow a massive amount of individuals to appreciate the film.
It’s not hard to fall in love with the comedy presented in Andy Somebody, and it’s not difficult to understand the approach that Ing and Evans took when developing this film. What initially appears to be a mindless ride through comedy and life quickly shifts into something far more important and accessible–opening the doors to great possibilities for Andy Somebody. The layered narrative brought to life by truly wonderful comedy is the highlight of the entire film–and while there will certainly be viewers that turn up their noses to this approach (cinema snobs!) the reality is that the film is beautifully constructed–and I love it.
Directed by Jesse David Ing.
Written by Jeremy M. Evans & Jesse David Ing.
Starring Jeremy M. Evans, Jonathan Buckley, David Forseth, Leslie Wong, Nicole I. Butler, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10
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