BORN GUILTY

Film Review by FIORE

Anyone who has fallen victim to family, or friends burdening them with a heavy guilt trip will appreciate BORN GUILTY.  It is apparent Director, Writer, Editor and Producer Max Weller had guilt issues from his mother, girlfriend, best friend and co-workers throughout most his life.  He has taken those feelings, augmented them into preposterous proportions and presents them in a humorous fashion.

Marty Weiss (Jay Devore) is a successful ad campaign manager for kids’ products, but, he wants to play in the adult world, so when an opportunity comes along to snare an investment company, he is anxious to shift his talents.  The hurdles in his path are not creative, but rather guilt rulers.  His mother Judith (Rosanna Arquette) cries emergency for every little incident or technical foible.  His friend Rupert (Jay Klaitz) is a looney who can’t leave his apartment.  His girlfriend Leslie Picalo (Keesha Sharp) is a gold digger, using Marty as a springboard to launch her lingerie line.  And, his assistant Summer (Anna Lore) is anxious to file a sexual discrimination suit against him, but she wants to see if she can ignite a romance first.  Into this mess, comes Marty’s best friend Rawl Malone (David Coussins) who is a global hobo searching for the meaning of life.  The comedic anecdotes commence once Marty brainstorms the concept of using Rawl to deflect the constant interruptions from his mother.

The acting in BORN GUILTY is its greatest appeal.  Of special note are Coussins, who plays a burnt-out Yoda with aplomb, and Keesha, who branches out from her middle-class housewife routine on LEATHAL WEAPON and is delicious as a conniving sex kitten.

Working with Weller is Director of Photography Kenneth Stipe and David Ricard, who accompanied by his big band, provides the score.

BORN GUILTY is over the top, but this serves the comedy well.  Devore is a neurotic only someone in Tinseltown, or New York could appreciate.  There is a bit too much of Weller in his main character as the whole story is self-centered.  It’s moral of isolationism from the others in one’s life, is a philosophy only the humanists of Hollywood would appreciate.

That said, BORN GUILTY is sure to ring a true note with everyone who has had a guilt trip laid on their table.  The situations in BORN GUILTY will ring true and bring a smile to your face.  BORN GUILTY is currently available in select theatres and on VOD.