SXSW15 Review – Fresno (2015)
My favourite teen movie of all time is the Jamie Babbit film from 1999, But I’m A Cheerleader. The film stars Natasha Lyonne who plays Megan, a cheerleader sent to a Christian rehab camp to “cure” her lesbian preferences. The film is smart, hilariously funny, has one of the best soundtracks of the films of the era and took the teen movie away from outdated stereotypes. Of course I was going to flip out a little bit when I found out that Natasha and Jamie teamed up again to make a second film together, and it was written by Jamie’s girlfriend Karey Dornetto (Portlandia, Kroll Show). I may have even hi-fived myself.
Fresno tells the story of two sisters Martha (Natasha Lyonne; Orange is The New Black, Sleeping With Other People) and Shannon (Judy Greer; Arrested Development, Men Women & Children). When Shannon leaves rehab for her sex addition, Martha helps her sister get a job working with her as a maid in a hotel. Whilst at rehab Shannon was sleeping with her therapist Edwin (Ron Livingstone; Drinking Buddies, Touchy Feely), so was never really over her addiction and is straight away back at her meddling ways. Whilst avoiding her maidly duties, Shannon gets it on with a mulleted hotel guest (Jon Daly; Kroll Show, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty) who gets killed part way through the act. The two sisters attempt cover up the murder, which leads them on a long-winded trek around Fresno with the body in a laundry basket.
It’s great to see both actresses take the lead in a film. They’ve both excelled at supporting roles, Lyonne in Orange is the New Black and Greer as the insane Kitty in Arrested Development, but neither have recently had the chance to shine in a lead role. They both look fantastic too. It’s foolish to forget how much they purposefully age and weather Lyonne for OITNB, in Fresno she looks exactly the same as she did in But I’m A Cheerleader!
There are also some great supporting roles, Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation, Ned Rifle) is fantastic as Martha’s sporty love interest and Fred Armisen (Portlandia, Saturday Night Live) and Allison Tolman (Fargo, The Mindy Project) are both fantastic as brother and sister pet cemetery owners. Also But I’m A Cheerleader fans will squeal with delight when Clea DuVall graces the screen for a brief moment.
Admittedly with me this film was preaching to the converted, but Fresno is the film that you’d hope Jamie Babbit would make 16 years after making But I’m a Cheerleader. The screwball-esque comedy packs a punch, it’s daring, smart, beautifully shot and also really accessible. It’s a mature but hilarious comedy with great performances throughout and I can’t recommend it enough. I just hope we don’t have to wait another 16 years for her next movie.
★★★
Alice Hubley
Genre: Comedy Venue: SXSW15 Rating:TBA Running Time: 85 mins Director: Jamie Babbit Cast: Natasha Lyonne, Judy Greer, Aubrey Plaza, Fred Armisen, Ron Livingstone
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
About the Author
