Meet Monica Velour features Kim Cattrell as an aging, loose skinned, broken down porn actress whose hey-day was in the late 1970s and early 1980s and a 17 year old Napoleon Dynamite-esque backwards geek named Tobe, played by Dustin Ingram. Although sometimes slow and definitely depressing the film carries some charm and low-key vibe. Tobe, looking to break free from his constraining small-town life, finds that his x-rated screen siren love obsession, Monica Velour, will be making an appearance at a seedy strip club the next state over from his. Taking the Hot Dog family van given to him by his "Pop-Pop", played by Brian Dennehy, Tobe goes to see Monica perform and almost forcibly becomes entangled in her life. Tobe involves himself with her fights and custody battle with her ex-husband, her potential money making endeavours and of course tries to insert himself into her love life as he tried to fulfill his fantasy of loosing his virginity to his fantasy woman.
All in all Kim Cattrell does a fantastic job, really getting into the part and taking a 180 from her ultra-powerful, sex obsessed "Samantha" character from Sex in the City. The viewer can see that she threw herself into the part and really made the effort to become a woman that has just given up on everything and who barely trying to survive. Dustin Ingram was alright. Something seemed missing from his character and unfortunately what was missing could not be pinpointed. Maybe it was his lack of passion as an awkward virginal nerd wanting to save his damsel in distress or his lackadaisical way of arguing with his "Pop-Pop", but there was no chemistry between him and the other actors on the film. The two old acting veterans of the film Brian Dennehy and Keith David were both excellent choices to stick into the film by Writer-Director Keith Bearden. They brought interesting and out-there attitudes in a film that desperately need them. Although, it would be a blessing to never see Brian Dennehy's ass again! It was definitely refreshing to see something different instead of the same old female character of a fresh faced, hard-bodied 20 year old and I look forward to Anchor Bay churning out and improving on some unexpected, interesting new ideas.
Meet Monica Velour Trailer
Photos from the Canadian Premiere of 'Meet Monica Velour'
Meet Monica Velour Facebook Page
Extra - Interview with Kim Cattrell
Directorsnotes.com - Interview with Keith Bearden
