King of Herrings

2014
6.8| 1h22m| en
Details

An offbeat look at four Crescent City layabouts, who dream big in a 'small change' world of cards, women and endless cups of coffee. Their passionate blundering, like their rants, can be at once funny, poignant, ridiculous and heartbreaking. Ditch, their self appointed king, is an irascible son-of-a-bitch with a Napoleon complex, and his pals love him for it. Until one day he pushes the self-tenured Professor too far. A game of threats, posturing and sexual ploys lead them down a dark but comic road in this exploration of what it is to be a man today. Filmed in black and white, this richly textured character study could be the bastard child of Woody Allen and Tom Waits, brought to life by an ensemble of real-life character actors who have known each other and worked together for over twenty- five years.

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Burnside Entertainment

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Reviews

Matcollis This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.
Rijndri Load of rubbish!!
Rio Hayward All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.
Logan By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
nurtzkid The makers of this film suffered from many misunderstandings. To identify a few for them, filming in black and white doesn't make you an auteur (and it makes a plot mystifying when one character is referred to, for over an hour, simply as "the redhead"); casting character actors as leads doesn't always make them good enough to carry the larger role; long pauses in conversations do not make that conversation meaningful; and working without a script does not inspire brilliance. OK, I'm guessing on that last point, but it sure seems like no one knew their lines. Oh, and lens flare isn't an especially good look in black and white. In sum, a pretentious, vapid, poorly constructed story.
champ_clark-540-155191 What can I say about "King of Herrings?" So very much. First....you will recognize these people. And that doesn't happen often in American movies. "Ditch," Gat," "The Professor," "Leon," "Augie," and most especially, the women in this film, "Mary" and "Evie." We all know them. We see them in the corner diner, or on the subway, or, likely, in our own homes. Particularly if you have lived in any big city...New Orleans as depicted in "King of Herrings"....but also Chicago, New York, LA....or Philadelphia or wherever. These are real people. Urban characters that live and breath and live and love and strive or fail. What is it about "King of Herrings" that makes it stick in your head and in your thoughts? The story and the writing first. Not many American movies let the viewer decide for themselves how to feel about the characters up on screen. The acting, certainly...uncompromising and rich. Eddie Jemison, known for his wide variety of character roles, often comic, zones in on a whole other realm of his talent. Brando-like he is here. And Joe Chrest, David Jensen, Wayne Pere, Carl Palmer and John Mese all compliment and further Jemison's breakthrough performance. This is excellence in ensemble acting. But, when all is said and done, the secret of "King of Herrings" is its women and the soul they give to it. Andrea Frankle, a featured player in a number of movies, gives a breakout performance as "Evie." It is a performance that should be seen and, when seen, will be appreciated. But, most of all, Laura Lamson is the heart and soul of "King of Herrings." Her performance is impeccable and heartbreaking. Without Lamson, there is no movie. It is a quiet performance amidst all the testosterone hue and cry. And it kills. Lastly, the co-direction of Sean Richardson (with Jemison) and music of Chris Walden fulfill every moviegoer's hope by bringing completion to this wonderful writing and acting. I loved "King of Herrings."
mesejohn First things first; admittedly, I am a producer, was first A.D. and had a small role in "King of Herrings." But even with all that good will towards the film, nothing could have prepared me for the two screenings with packed houses at The Prytania Theatre for the 2013 New Orleans Film Festival! Having seen the film many many times as we were working on it in post production, it was such a gift to be able to see it ANEW, through the audiences' eyes. They laughed, they loved, they hated, and some of them even cried. While watching the film with these audiences it was so apparent that they were hooked in, taking the ride, and that they loved it. Afterwards, they enthusiastically told us what they thought: "It's a quirky odd little film that's funny and packs an emotional wallop!" "It's refreshing to see a film that's really just about people...a character driven film with great dialog and stellar acting!" "Such reprehensible, yet human characters that we all actually care about and end up rooting for." These were all things I heard people say to us after the screenings...and so many other great things, that there is simply not room for here. Since we didn't really campaign to get people to vote for us, it came as a complete surprise to all of us when we won The Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature! My feeling about how good the film is, has been validated on levels beyond my own expectations. Sincerely, John Mese
jbabi23 While kind of slow, it charms with its scenery of New Orleans and parts of baton rouge. The depth of the characters is amazing and the acting is quite good. Pacing of this film is quite good. The cinematographer is clearly very talented.The movie takes you on a journey of an inner circle of people dealing with emotional relationships. Throughout, you see the process of dealing with conflict and the weaknesses of all parties. Overall, the film was very good, if you are the type of person who likes these types of movies. It stays with you for awhile after viewing and as with other good movies, you learn a little more with every subsequent viewing.

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