The casting of the film is excellent. Savannah Stehlin ("The Family Stone") plays Spork and gives a subtle and compelling performance. Scenes in which Spork talks to her dead mother at her gravestone are heart-melting. Spork is the perfect lovable loser. Rachel G. Fox ("Desperate Housewives") plays Betsy Byotch, the head of the mean girls, with the perfect combination of snooty and evil that audiences love to hate.
But the character who stands out is Spork's trailer park neighbor Tootsie Roll, played by young comedian Sydney Park ("America's Got Talent"). This young actor is a firecracker on screen. Everything she does is over-the-top—but hilariously so. She over-sprays her Afro Glo, whips her braids, booty dances to '90s hip-hop hits, and speaks in her own language. She gets the largest laughs of the film, for sure, but in one scene in which she explains to Spork, "No one has friends in the hood," she proves her dramatic chops.
The problem with the film is the writing and directing, both by J.B. Ghuman Jr. It's eerily similar to "Napoleon Dynamite," but the latter is a much better-constructed film. Though the story of "Spork" is simple and predictable, there is no distinct movement carrying the plot along. The story meanders with random add-in stylistic choices that don't propel the plot. Set in an indeterminate period with aspects from the '80s, '90s, and kind-of today, the film gives no firm indication of when it's set. Kids who love "The Wiz," watch VHS tapes, listen to '90s hip-hop, dress like they live in the '80s yet know of Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, and JLo? Although it advertises itself as a musical, there's no real singing, just lip-synching to '90s hits.
This is a movie that screams, "I want to be a cult classic" or "I want people to watch me while under the influence." Though the casting and performances are great, and the coming-of-age theme is universal, confusing direction and style choices make this surreal comedy almost too surreal.
Genre: Comedy
Written and directed by: J.B. Ghuman Jr.
Starring: Savannah Stehlin, Sydney Park. Rachel G. Fox, Michael William Arnold