Tusk

One stormy night, several years ago, Kevin Smith smoked some marijuana and pondered if he could make a gross-out film in the vein of "The Human Centipede," but with better results. His toiling produced "Tusk," a film that will certainly polarize audiences based on their limits for handling disgusting, even disturbing sights. Despite the fact that I have little use for gory shock cinema, I think Smith succeeded in balancing the disturbing with the oddly amusing.

The story of "Tusk" is odd to say the least, and it will serve you better if I speak in generalities so as to preserve the surprises. Suffice to say, "Tusk" is about a young man, played by Justin Long, who finds himself in the house of psychopath who has an obsession with walruses. One of the ways in which Smith succeeds is that he gives his disturbing character an interesting backstory, one that only an inspired auteur could construct. We see the history and depth of psychosis inherent to the character known as "Howard How." Smith not only wants to gross us out; he wants us to be mesmerized by a good story. Howard How is not the one dimensional Nazi surgeon in "The Human Centipede." He does not seek to maim and torture for no reason. On the contrary, Howard How is motivated by loneliness and isolation, two intertwined traits that were the result of inner and outer torture in his past.  

One of the other reasons why "Tusk" succeeds is the casting. Normally, I loathe Justin Long and his rubber-faced shallowness, but his annoying persona is perfect for the character, who, let's say, gets what he deserves. Smith is smart enough to manipulate the audience into disliking the main character, which makes his series of unfortunate events easier to bear. The movie also stars a nearly unrecognizable Haley Joel Osment (of Sixth Sense fame), who has gained an equal amount of weight to what he lost in childhood adorableness. He is so plump, in fact, that he is able to play a character who looks and talks like the rotund Smith, himself. Finally, my favorite character was an Inspector Closeau inspired French speaking policeman played by Johnny Depp. Upon Depp's introduction, the movie takes a slight turn into more comedy than horror. Depp is perfect for this role, as he relishes in the ridiculousness, even comedic uselessness of the character.

As always, Smith has a knack for words, and in many ways, "Tusk" matches his previous successes with "Clerks" and "Dogma." In particular, Smith writes beautifully for the wannabe aristocrat/intellectual who teeters on insanity. The smart, snappy dialogue acts in interesting contrast against the poor skills of Justin Long and the gross subject matter. To be sure, my favorite part of Smith's movies is his writing.

So, here's the issue. I cannot in good conscience recommend this movie for a general audience. It will sicken most people. But for those curious few who intrigued by this type of horror film; and for those Smith fans out there, "Tusk" is a must see. More than anything, "Tusk" proves than even the most ludicrous premise can yield interesting results in hands of a gifted filmmaker.