Max (Max Azulay) has a new career lined up--a middle school health teacher. However, Max just found out that he also has a new sexually transmitted disease called Gunderson’s. As his newfound struggles and his new career converge, life becomes topsy turvy, and Max isn’t quite sure how to deal with all that his new life entails. A story about isolation and acceptance, Gunderson’s is a film for all.
Gunderson’s places a new teacher in a unique situation and viewers see Max struggling with his day to day. Sure, part of that struggle is the fact that he has Gunderson’s, but he simply struggles to find his way in the classroom and appropriately express himself in front of his students. There is something quite fun about the way that Max approaches teaching, however, as there were moments throughout the short film where I envied his ability to be fully honest with said students. He’s fun, energetic, and honest...all things that, as a teacher, I hope to be for the students sitting in front of me each day. Furthermore, Max is relatable, and that’s all thanks to Azulay. Azulay is passionate and is able to convey emotion with a very matter-of-fact vigor that reminds me of someone I know, but even more allows me to reflect on my own teaching. I’m envious of Max and all that he does throughout the film, and, again, that’s due to Azulay’s ability to accurately convey emotion through those lines.
Comedy never gets old, and it allows viewers a way to appreciate a film and simply feel good. Gunderson’s is full of comedy, and, even if the type of comedy isn’t for you, it’s incredibly welcoming. The comedy is unique because it’s so real. As someone who’s been in education for the past eight years, I sympathize with Max’s plights and I’m able to appreciate a significant amount of the film. However, the comedy goes beyond the educational setting, and is relevant to those who exist outside the realm of education as well. Viewers are able to appreciate the combination of outright and subtle humor as Max navigates his new rocky reality. The genuine nature of all that is being said resonates with viewers and allows them to appreciate Gunderson’s.
Gunderson’s is, for lack of a better word, random. Sure, it connects pieces from the real world to create something relatable, but it also exists somewhere out in left field in one of the more unique spaces in cinema. I’m not sure that anyone other than writers Azulay, Matt Porter, and Phil Primason asked for a film of this nature--a combination of sexually transmitted diseases and new school teachers, yet, it exists. The fact that Gunderson’s is so strange may cause it not to resonate with some, but the reality is that, while there are those obvious connections to the real world, Gunderson’s allows viewers to escape reality to a degree and just enjoy life. Throughout the course of the film, Gunderson’s ultimately ends up being a feel-good story--in one of the most twisted ways I’ve seen in a long time.
I was intrigued from the opening moments as a result of the comedy and the matter-of-fact nature of Max. The film is fun, funny, and relatable--but through everything else Gunderson’s made me feel good as it was uniquely uplifting. The acting is tremendous, the cinematography adequate, and the story one of a kind. Gunderson’s may not entertain everyone, but its niche group of potential viewers are sure to have a blast watching the film.
Directed by Matt Porter.
Written by Max Azulay, Matt Porter, & Phil Primason.
Starring Max Azulay, Timothy J. Cox, Dan Azulay, Nicolina Capitanio, Jeremiah Fox, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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