“What does this have to do with skateboarding?” This is the line which stuck out the most to me after leaving the theater from the beyond bizarre experience which is Machotaildrop (2009). The film follows an aspiring teenage skateboarder named Walter Rhum in an alternate 90s reality in which skateboarding is the primary focus of everything… or is it? Its actually rather unclear on where and when this film is set as our view is limited to a single cake and skateboard shop and the fantastical interior world which is Machotraildrop. What we do know is that Walter wants to be a pro skater, and Machotaildrop, whatever it may actually be is the way to do it. The film quickly progresses to introduce a large cast of wacky and absurd character which Walter has to live with as he rises to fame in the ranks of Machotaildrop. An ex-tight rope walker The Baron who leads the company, the flightless bird obsessed henchman Perkins, the plotting Dr. Mansfred and many more. Before we fully understand who all these characters are and have a chance to reconcile with the absurdity of the settings, the film takes a turn to the chaotic when we learn of the primal jungle gang known as the Wolfmen who’s only desire is to skateboard without limitation and fight the corporate brand of Machotaildrop, and watch as they claim war against the mountainside skateboard company.
This breif outline of the plot is all I’ve been able to put together from the vague memories of the film. The actual experience of watching is much more overwhelming and confusing, as the clear focus of the film is fatnastically bizarre imagery and set scenes rather than the characters or the narrative. The film progresses very quickly, favoring abstracted dialog rather than character exposition or back-story. We get no explanation on motivation or context and this only confuses an already ambiguous narrative.
Stylistically Machotaildrop rides an odd line between clearly amateur, refreshingly bizarre and just bad. The lead protagonist played by Anthony Amedori is a first time actor whose lines are horribly delivered and never quite expresses any proper emotion. On the other hand the performance of James Faulkner as the baron is charmingly over the top and Shakespearean in comparison. Some shots in the film could be photographs, framing the indie vintage style perfectly with amazing master shots and great cinematography. Others favor terrible blocking and clear switchs in video format. Some scenes are weird and bizarre in a somewhat Terry Gilliam way. The rest are just awkward or make no sense at all. The dialog is tough to fit anywhere, but it covers all three sides of the Machotaildrop spectrum of quality.
I had originally thought I wouldn’t like Machotaildrop because it was a film for skateboarders and people who thought tweed and suspenders were cool. In truth the film really has nothing to do with skateboarding and is instead a refreshingly bizarre ride though the minds of first time filmmakers Alex Craig and Corey Adams. While at first the absurdity of the film makes it difficult to watch, you eventually drop your preconceived notions of filmic form and narrative logic and instead enter the world which is Machotaildrop, one that in the end is actually really enjoyable. The escapades of the Wolfmen gang alone make the film worth a watch. I recommend checking it out for a truly trippy time.
Machotaildrop premiered at TIFF last year and recently came back to the Royal for a short 6 day run. Here’s hoping for a DVD or even a theater re-release soon.
(6.5/10)
Even if you aren’t going to see it, I recommend checking out the trailer for the film here.
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