The Horror Show
The Grand Son
by Robert Logevall
We all come from different walks of life. Some of us are just barely scraping by, some are comfortable, and others are living lives of extravagance that the rest of us can only dream of. The latter is often explored in the world of horror. The harsh nature of money above all else mixed with the dangers of image and position in life can be some pretty scary stuff. These concepts are more than represented in the new film The Grand Son which I've recently had the opportunity to check out.
The Grand Son is primarily about Tod (Rhys Wakefield). Tod and his sister Lani (Fabianne Therese) live under the influence and affluence of their grandmother Judy (Lesley Ann Warren). Judy is an aging star who is scrambling to keep a career going on a home shopping network. She suspects she'll get the axe soon and her family members are worried about what that means for them. After an accident calls the family's wealth and status into jeopardy, Tod decides to do whatever it takes to keep things moving for himself. This entails a whole lot of dirty moves that anyone with a soul would have trouble pulling off.
Most of the movie is simply Tod trying to save himself from the situation he has gotten himself into. During this process he reveals himself to the audience and his character is intensely unlikable. I do not say this to criticize the movie at all, I'm simply stating a major part of the character. Tod is not a good person and could best be described as a sociopath who thinks he's more charming than he is. Unlike characters like Alex DeLarge, Patrick Bateman, or Lou Bloom, there's no odd desire to see Tod succeed despite his awfulness. The film is devoid of any sense of humor, even in dark form, and I think that was a bold choice that works out at certain moments better than others.
I don't want to reveal too much about the film, especially since it all hinges on a few specific elements. What I will say, however, is that it kept me guessing throughout. In the end it felt like I had spent way too much time over-thinking, but I'm glad that I found myself engaged in that way. The acting is all more than competent and the project itself is shot quite well. The use of music gives an impression that is undeniable and that aspect I appreciated.
The Grand Son is the type of movie that is either making a big point or no point at all. It's possible the film wanted to tread nihilistic waters as it ends up feeling bleak and pessimistic. However, given the types of characters presented in the film, it's entirely possible that this is exactly how it was intended to be to get a message about wealth and lack of humanity across. Either way, I see the value. I do wish there were more twists and turns in the end, but the coldness of the ending leads me to believe that it's all exactly what the writer and director wanted.
In the end, The Grand Son is a difficult film to review. It's well made and has a tight grip on what it is, but still leaves a bad taste in my mouth when it's all said and done. This isn't always a bad thing and sometimes that can be the mark of a bold, challenging work. I can't say for sure if that's the case with this one, though. The characters aren't the kind you love to hate but are more-so just privileged monsters. However, I largely think that's the reasoning behind their actions. I will say that the movie kept me entertained and I won't be forgetting it soon. And that's really all you need to know. But if you do take away anything else, let it be that this film isn't playing to make friends. And you should be ready for that.
HMS received an advanced screener of this film in exchange for review. The Grand Son is available on VOD and will be available on DVD November 6th.
P.J. Griffin, HMS
The Horror Show Menu.