Knuckle Draggers Movie Review

Knuckle Draggers is an independent movie from Producer/Actor Paul J. Alessi and Director Alex Ranarivelo that made its world premiere film debut on April 26th, 2009, at a sold out Newport Beach Film Festival. The movie won two “Rising Star” awards at the DelRay Beach Film Festival, including Outstanding Feature by a New Filmmaker/Producer and Best Close-up in a Feature Film. Tonight (June 27th), the movie showed at the ReelHeART Film Festival as an official closing night film. Theatrical release and home video release dates are yet to be determined

With a diverse and talented ensemble cast, Knuckle Draggers presents the same conventional plot about the differences between the two genders. Men are simple creatures that have not evolved much beyond caveman times. They still just want sex and lots of it. Women on the other hand, need to commuicate, and need security. Relationships are easy, if you just understand one thing. To get sex, and lots of it, you just need to take charge, and make your woman feel secure. These brilliant insights are among the many shared by Kyle (Producer/Actor Paul Alessi).

Kyle has been divorced for two years and has just moved to Los Angeles to find a new life. Along with getting a job, one of his first goals is to help his struggling brother Ethan (Ross McCall) become a “real man” and become more equipped to make it with woman. Ethan has just been left by his wife of one year, Heather (Jennifer Alden), who wants the perfect life that Ethan has not provided her as an unstable directing hopeful.

Also in the mix is an ensemble of players that includes other couples dealing with their own issues. Supporting stars in the movie include Amie Barsky, Danielle Nicolet, Justin Baldoni, and Omar Gooding (Yes, Cuba’s brother, who is the spitting image in terms of mannerisms and facial expressions).

The premise of Knuckle Draggers centers on bitter, womanizing Kyle’s efforts to help his brother understand the ways of women and men, so that he can become more like him. Kyle is cocky, unabashed, and emotionless. He has a unique confidence to jump into any conversation regarding the interaction of men and women and to say whatever he feels. This skill actually drives much of the comic aspect of the film. Ethan just wants his wife back, but he agrees to take Kyle’s advice if he will help him.

Watch Knuckle Draggers Movie Trailer

Knuckle Draggers is an intriguing, entertaining, and humorous exploration of the realities of relationships between men and women. Kyle manages to reference many stats and facts to support his very “out there” views about life and women. There is not an entirely deep plot direction created in the movie, but Alessi manages to put together a story that is interesting, fun, and thought-provoking. Other characters add alternate viewpoints and perspective in the story and there are some surprises that develop by the end.

It will be fun to see what comes of Knuckle Draggers once it achieves broad release. Alessi and McCall are the driving forces in the movie as brothers, and each gives a strong performance. Alessi in particular, is an intriguing actor. He doesn’t appear to be overwhelming in a traditional sense as an actor, but he does have the ability and charisma to take charge of every scene that he is in. As a producer, he has created an enjoyable, clever, and original movie.

MPAA Rating: R
Running Time: 88 minutes
Film Premiere Date: April 26, 2009

Movie Review by Neil of Movie Room Reviews