Gerald Wright's Movie Coverage      

"BE MY OSWALD"

Directed & Written by: Don Cato
Running time: 94 minutes
Release date: November 29, 2007 (limited NYC)
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Satire and Crime
Distributor: ChipAway Productions
MPAA Rating: Not Rated

This dramedy is a tale of conspiracy to assassinate Santa Claus impersonators who ride the floats during the New York City Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Not because Christmas is a bad thing - it's because of the consumerism and commercialism that Santa represents.

A fanatical vegetarian (code name: B) recruits a wealthy naive socialite who is a closet wannabe activist (code name: A) to overthrow the capitalist. Jeannie Noth plays "A" who doesn't have a clue that "B" plans to shot and kill the man wearing the Old St. Nick suit in the parade. Katha Cato plays "B" the militant assassin who recruited "A" through a N.Y. Times ad, asking for a social reformer whose mission would be as a participant in a humanitarian protest that would save Christmas. The affluent "A" gives up her comfortable and easy lifestyle and takes on the job. "A"s tasks are to follow precise instructions that "B" leaves for her in secretive places and by telephone. Her first task is to find office space for their sensative plan. "A" finds a messy loft in a shady neighborhood where the only neighbor in the building is even more shadier than the environment. Her second task is to keep quiet about her mission and not to involve anyone.

When "B" finally meets "A" in this secluded loft their values collide. "A"s lifestyle of convenience, such as installing a telephone and ordering catering doesn't mix well with "B"s master plan. As the master plan of the assasination of Kris Kringle is unvailed by "B" and her assault weapon is displayed it doesn't set well with "A", especially when "B" tells "A" she can't leave anyone alive who has seen their faces. That means the telephone guy and the caterer must be eliminated. This literally causes a life or death struggle between the two with some hilarious scenes that will have you amazed.

This subversive and dark comedic tale is one of the most twisted stories I've seen since Stanley Kubrick's, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. The situations in this film is so dire I was afraid to laugh, but I could not help myself because of the witty dialogue. Jeannie Noth and Katha Cato gave a great performances. The supporting cast members Vincent Polizzi, Pamela Butler, Buddy Smith, Ben Oliver, Rich Bogle and Maggie Maes as the pot smoking caterer were fantastic. This is a very clever film for the Christmas holiday.

FILM RATING (B)