Hank Boyd Is Dead (2016)
Matt Boiselle
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Starring Stefanie E. Frame, David Christopher Wells, Liv Rooth
Directed by Sean Melia
Shedding the “new director” tag certainly isn’t an easy feat for most that sit in the big chair, but Sean Melia’s black-comedy Hank Boyd Is Dead takes a look at the recently deceased and the true meaning of “inner workings.” Demented activity aside, step inside for a peek at a movie that very well might have you scratching your heads before its over.
Sarah (Frame) is a caterer who gets tasked with working a wake for a family whose dearly departed didn’t exactly have the best reputation around town, but then again, neither does the entire family. Hank Boyd is the man in the casket, and his reputed actions against the innocent have reduced his memory to that of a sad man who killed, then ultimately took his own life inside a prison cell. Added to the oddity of a large congregation of mourners for a convicted murderer is the fact that the local police detective (Wells) is the killer’s brother… now that’s unsettling to say the least.
When Sarah hears a conversation between David the detective and his deputy (Michael Hogan), let’s just say that all is not quite what it appears to be, and things get hairy real quick.
She soon becomes the damsel-in-distress, and with a family like the Boyds, there really aren’t many directions one could look in for salvation, all adding up to a slightly skewered conclusion, but if you’re willing to stick with it, it will all flesh out in the end. With an interesting blend of camera usage and interviews aplenty to interweave with the story, Melia gives the audience a deep delve into not only the mind of the killer, but his family as well. It’s also been a long time since I’ve seen a film where each and every performance was a step above, and it only added to the likability factor for this movie.
Overall, Hank Boyd Is Dead is one of those watches that will amuse and befuddle you all at the same time, but more than anything, it does warrant a solid look. Recommended.
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Film
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