There are few films made today that honor the silent era of cinema. Fans of Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, and Harold Lloyd will find director Mike Cheslik’s new film, Hundreds of Beavers, a throwback to the slapstick style. There is as much Looney Toons as there is the Tramp or the Great Stone Face in this inventive movie. While not truly silent, it is a great example of the power of visual storytelling and physical comedy. The film is a throwback to the films of old, while still having a modern sensibility and unique visual styling that embraces its low budget as part of its aesthetic.
Ryland Brickson Cole Tews plays the lead character (he is also co-writer of the story), Jean Kayak. He is a lovable buffoon who finds himself in a challenging situation. The movie shifts multiple times in ways that could be cut into different short films but somehow manages to still feel cohesive.
The story starts with Kayak being a bit of a lush who finds himself buried in snow and is now alone. Survival is the next phase, and he just doesn’t have the skills. The story continues to escalate and introduces only a few other human characters: Olivia Graves, Wes Tank, Doug Mancheski, and Lu Rico. The film is full of animals, which are people in costumes that resemble those adorned by many-a-mall Easter bunnies.
One of the best elements of the film is the successful implementation of so many set-ups, and how they continually manage to pay off. Everything introduced in the film will be used – often more than once – to not only deliver a laugh but also to progress the story. That’s the key that makes this film so memorable. It isn’t just a series of ridiculous bits that get used time and time again. Instead, every bit is a building block for the world and characters, leading the audience to a wildly unique experience of laughter and love.
The use of visual effects in this film is also quite impressive. There is a sequence where Kayak is trying to retrieve eggs from a bird’s nest. The way he climbs the tree is clearly green screen, and as he shuffles up the tree, he leaves spikey thistles behind, emblematic of the filmmakers embracing their limitations. They needed to create this frozen tundra and have all of these “animals” that Kayak would be hunting. It would be challenging to do even with a budget, but near-impossible to make it look “realistic” with none. This could be a hindrance for some, but it becomes a clear strength here.
Hundreds of Beavers has an incredible finale that shows off the team’s style. It honestly puts to shame many of the comic book movie finales, where visual effects become more of a burden than a strength. Here, the title of the film becomes clear and used to great effect. Everything Kayak had been doing builds to this moment, and the film truly sticks the landing.
As soon as you’re able to see Hundreds of Beavers, you definitely should. This is indie filmmaking at an undeniable level. There is clear talent all across the board. The humor is undeniable, and the story is simply well told. It is extremely impressive when you can see all the inspiration that went into making a film, while still delivering something that feels original.
Hundreds of Beavers are currently on tour and will be getting various theatrical screenings across the country. Visit their website, hundredsofbeavers.com, for details.
Rating: Must See
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