The makers of Howard Original (2021), Extraordinary Pictures, put out the following warning for audiences:
The film is a commentary about the entertainment industry, and it exposes the misogyny, racism, and sexism that still exists. This comedy-satire may trigger some viewers, BUT this trainwreck of a screenwriter’s life is a guilty pleasure.
There’s always a certain degree of wiggle room that film critics can (and should) give to indie filmmakers. These directors and producers don’t have the same budgets or pool of acting talent available to them as large studios, which often results in uglier visuals, subpar performances, and a general lack of artistic subtlety. However, film reviewers must look past these limitations to see the good qualities underneath. Unfortunately, while the warning above does make some true statements about Howard Original (2021), some of the film’s shortcomings are too glaring to overlook.
Directed by Natalie Rodriguez, Howard Original (2021) is based on the 2017 short film of the same name, which took home various awards on the indie film festival circuit. The story follows Howard Original, an unemployed, racist, misogynistic screenwriter who is desperate to get his latest script picked up by a major studio. He is obsessed with cats and women, which shows in his script — a sci-fi drama set in a universe where space cats attack humans and computers are more advanced than women. He drinks a lot, which seems to fuel his writing but also gets him in trouble. After a failed relationship with his one true love, Howard has a series of trysts; once with a drag queen escort and once with a problematic film “executive.” Ultimately, his poor choices and failures lead Howard down a dark and lonely path.
It’s important to note that I’ve made the narrative sound much more cohesive than it is in practice. Watching the film, I found the editing and general flow of the film very difficult to follow. In one scene, I’m watching some poignant interactions between Howard and his ex-girlfriend, and in the next, I’m watching Howard refuse the advances of a Kim Kardashian knock-off (whom he refers to as a KarTRASHian) in a surreal reality TV universe. Then, the film jumps to a series of uncomfortable casting sessions, in which Howard hits on the actresses and criticizes their every move.
That said, I have to give credit where credit is due. The scenes in which the film attempts to be serious — particularly the down-to-Earth interactions with his lover and even the casting scenes — work quite well. The dialogue feels real, while Howard’s underlying misogyny and mental hangups shine through with a surprising amount of clarity. Unfortunately, these moments are often undermined by a poorly implemented narration that also serves as the “voice” in Howard’s head. The narrator frequently overexplains Howard’s mental state and actions, taking away any sense of subtlety or nuance.
If you can get past the strange narration, choppy storytelling, and bizarre visual style, there is an important message underneath it all. Having worked in casting, I can say with confidence that there are nefarious predators working in the film industry. The power dynamic between a director, producer, or casting agent and a desperate actor can make the process uncomfortable, especially when the powerful person has no qualms about exercising their strength over the other. Howard Original puts this dynamic on full display. He is a disgusting screenwriter, drunk on his own sense of superiority, desperately trying to get every young actress to sleep with him and force them to appreciate his artistic genius.
Despite making some blatantly antisemitic remarks at one point in the film, Howard often comes across as an even less palatable version of Woody Allen. His neuroticism makes him overlook the needs and desires of those around him, while his insatiable sexual drive makes him a predator in the casting room. Though Woody Allen is never mentioned by name, the similarities are readily apparent. However, Howard Original doesn’t have any kind of talent as a screenwriter, making him more of a Woody Allen wannabe.
In closing, while Howard Original is not a perfect film, it does use its bizarre format to create legitimate critiques of the film industry. However, it often falls flat when it attempts to be funny. I believe the film would have worked better as a more straightforward drama with subtle satiric elements, rather than a fully self-aware satire that somehow misses the mark.
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