FrightFest 2019: MADNESS IN THE METHOD Review – Jason Mewes Explores The Darker Side Of Fame

Starring Jason Mewes, Kevin Smith, Vinne Jones, Gina Carano, Dean Cain, Danny Trejo

Written by Dominic Burns, Chris Anastasi

Directed by Jason Mewes


I was a little surprised when I saw Madness in the Method on the schedule for FrightFest 2019 because a stoner comedy with Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith is hardly anyone’s idea of a horror film. And while I was relieved by the fact that there were some gruesome deaths, be aware that this is certainly more comedy than horror. Either way, Madness in the Method also features Danny Trejo wearing a petal necklace, which is not something you’re likely to see anywhere else.

Jason Mewes has apparently been finding it hard to find work playing anything other than the stoner buddy character he portrayed so well in films directed by Kevin Smith, leading him to seek out a book on acting so he can believably play other kinds of characters. The book happens to be specifically about method acting for dummies, but that’s beside the point. Because as soon as Mewes starts reading it, his career takes a turn in a drastically different direction. Things are clearly looking up for him, even though he accidentally kills someone with his car.

Mewes is unquestionably a strong actor in real life, and seeing him going out of his comfort zone was a welcome change. Whether or not this will lead to him getting different kinds of roles in the future remains to be seen, although his performance as a fictionalised version of himself in Madness in the Method will likely be remembered as one of his best.

It goes without saying that Kevin Smith shows up as his usual pot-smoking self, although his friendship with Mewes is put to the test when the latter starts to be seen as a more serious actor. It turns out Mewes is determined to be cast in the lead role in The Odyssey, an upcoming Oscar season contender, with Smith telling Mewes his chances of landing the role are pretty much zero, before going on to tell him that he’ll only ever be good at playing a stoner. We won’t go into spoilers, but let’s just say Mewes gets some revenge on his former friend for insulting him in that way.

Vinnie Jones also appears as himself and, given his British tough-guy persona, it doesn’t take long for the dim-witted police officers in the picture to suspect him of being a crime lord. As a former sports player turned actor, Jones has a surprising amount of natural talent and charisma, which leads to some entertaining interactions between him and Mewes, including a gag involving a firework which is bound to put a smile on your face. And while the joke about the police believing Jones to be a gangster was stretched thin, it was still a smart move for him to be cast. And on the subject of casting, the film also features one of the last ever appearances of Stan Lee, and rest assured, while it was only a cameo, he has a decent amount of dialogue.

Although it was primarily a comedy, Madness in the Method still gave us a look at the darker side of fame, with Dean Cain sadly lamenting how obsessive Superman fans are so blinded by their passion that they fail to understand that the actor who plays the character is not actually bulletproof. Cain is also constantly harassed by fans in public, to the point where he has to hide under a bench when he talks to Mewes. Most of us might view the Hollywood lifestyle as a dream, but it clearly comes with a price.

It would be easy to write off Madness in the Method as a stoner comedy with some gruesome moments, but it’s so much more than that. If you want to see a side to Jason Mewes that you probably won’t see anywhere else, this is one dose of madness you won’t want to miss.

  • Madness in the Method
4.0

Summary

It may be more of a comedy with some gore than a true horror film, but Madness in the Method still presents an unflinching depiction of the darker side of the Hollywood lifestyle. Anyone dreaming of being an actor needs to watch this.

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