a Chris Jaymes place

Review in Total Film – a UK based publication In Memory Of My Father **** Certificate: 15

Running time: 96 minutes

There’s more than a whiff of Festen and Altman in first-time director Christopher James’s frantic, enjoyably overstuffed funeral drama, as the three troubled sons of a has-been Hollywood producer throw a rowdy wake for their problem patriach, which he has bribed the youngest son Chris to film. Despite the cooling corpse and the cameras, family tensions explode into black comedy as Chris finds himself torn between two lovers, cuckolded middle son Jeremy explores Ecstasy and marital honesty, and eldest son Matt gives his father’s ex-lover carnal comfort on the bedroom carpet. The film skewers revels in narcotic-fuelled Hollywood narcissism, with a no-holds-barred performance from Jeremy ‘Six Feet Under’ Sisto, and Judy Greer, hilariously dippy, greedy and horny as Dad’s last squeeze.

We’ve started to receive reviews from UK based publications surrounding the release of In Memory of My Father!!  IMOMF opens at the Institute of Contemporary Art, London for a two-week run on June 6, 2008. Here is a new review from Film Review… a nice one!! And below that one from MAXIM…  Please tell all of your UK friends to come check it out!!

In Memory of My Father
4 stars

The title might suggest a straightforward drama of love and loss, but it’s clear from the opening scene – which sees wannabe film-maker Chris (Jaymes) pointing a camera straight in the face of his Hollywood producer father as he breathes his last – that it’s all a bit more complicated than that. For Dad’s (Austin) dying wish was for his youngest son to document not just his death, but also his wake and the impact his passing has on his nearest and dearest. And it’s not long before said wake descends into chaos – with Chris attempting to juggle his filming duties with his overwhelming feelings for his ex-lover Nicholle (Tom) and the demands of his new teenage girlfriend Christine (Lakin); his brother Matt (Keeslar) enjoying a passionate – if brief – affair with his father’s young widow Judy (Greer) and their messed up sibling Jeremy (Sisto) embarking on a drug-fuelled, faintly homoerotic journey of self discovery with new best friend Eric (Cole).

As an increasing number of characters join the raucous fray, relationships between them become confusing. It’s made even more muddled with the discovery that the boys’ uncle stole away their mother years previously, making cousins half-siblings and muddying the mix even further. But this just adds to the enjoyable mania of the piece and, as the action takes place over the course of one traumatic day, you can’t help but be swept along with it.

But for all the mayhem – of which there is a great deal – this is more than just a snapshot of dysfunctional modern family life. Writer/director/star Jaymes has brought a great deal of acerbic humour and edgy characterisation to his script, and the pace never lets up for a second. Yet underneath it all there’s some genuine heart; Jeremy’s burgeoning friendship with Eric is surprisingly touching, while Chris’s pain at both his father’s death and his mother’s betrayal occasionally crack his sarcastic mask. In fact, all of the boys carry their fathers legacy through their messed up relationships with women – having witnessed their mother leave for their uncle, and their dad subsequently hook up with a string of unsuitable women, it’s not surprising that they are all struggling to make valid commitments. 

As the movie boomerangs between laugh out loud humour, high drama and moments of genuine pathos, Jaymes keeps his hand expertly on the rudder – even more impressive considering he’s also taken a starring role – so keeping the tone balanced throughout. His cast are excellent and clearly loving every minute, Jaymes and Sisto in particular embrace their characters with gusto and it’s impossible not to be caught up in the moment with them. All in all, it’s a small film with a big reach, a great antidote to the summer’s blockbuster onslaught that effectively showcases some of Hollywood’s most promising young talent.

Film Review – U.K.
Nikki Baughan

As strange as it may seem… IMOMF is getting reviewed in England’s Maxim Magazine… They only place three films in the printed version per month and ours is one of them!! Here’s a blurb from the review.

In Memory Of My Father – 4 stars
If you like your comedy dark and your film families truly demented, Christopher Jaymes’ dysfunctional gem is for you. A Hollywood producer has died and his youngest son Chris has been asked to film the ensuing wake. The result? Familial carnage so funny and so ridiculous you’ll be weeping tears of joyous blood. Thanks so much Maxim!! Look forward to seeing you in London!!