DON'T TELL LARRY
7.5 / 10
I’m finally back from my European vacation, and this week we’re taking a look at the indie black comedy Don’t Tell Larry.
Full disclosure: Greg Porper, one half of the writing-directing duo with John Schimke, is one of my poker buddies in LA. But seeing Greg bumble around the poker table did not prepare me for the dark, absurdist tone of Don’t Tell Larry — and I mean that in the best way. If you’re into the comedy stylings of Archer or Anthony Jeselnik, you’ll probably laugh out loud more than a few times.
I found Don’t Tell Larry to be the spiritual successor to films like Clerks, Napoleon Dynamite, and my personal favorite, Very Bad Things. Which Greg swears he’s never seen. Get on that, bro.
The cast is led by Patty Guggenheim, known for her scene-stealing turn as Madisyn in the otherwise forgettable She-Hulk and in Peacock’s Twisted Metal. She’s terrific as Susan, the ambitious, morally grey lead whose unyielding pursuit of the CEO role at her travel agency drives the plot.
Fellow Groundlings alum Kiel Kennedy plays Larry, who unwittingly thwarts Susan’s ambitions but also propels the story forward with his growing willingness to push boundaries—and descend into madness.
Ed Begley Jr., who is always great (and whom I randomly met at the Poppy Jasper Film Festival earlier this year), appears as the head of Susan’s agency, who holds a deep, dark secret about Larry. Kenneth Mosley and Dot-Marie Jones deserve shout-outs for bringing steady comic relief in supporting roles while Ronda Dale Kirk teams with Guggenheim for one of the film’s best scenes. You’ll know it when you see it.
If you want a comedy that tickles your funny bone and takes you places you didn’t see coming, Don’t Tell Larry delivers. It’s clever, dark, and clearly reflects the filmmakers’ taste and goals—more than you can say for most movies these days.
I give it a 7.5 out of 10 and urge you to stream it on Amazon, Apple TV, or YouTube.
Full disclosure: Greg Porper, one half of the writing-directing duo with John Schimke, is one of my poker buddies in LA. But seeing Greg bumble around the poker table did not prepare me for the dark, absurdist tone of Don’t Tell Larry — and I mean that in the best way. If you’re into the comedy stylings of Archer or Anthony Jeselnik, you’ll probably laugh out loud more than a few times.
I found Don’t Tell Larry to be the spiritual successor to films like Clerks, Napoleon Dynamite, and my personal favorite, Very Bad Things. Which Greg swears he’s never seen. Get on that, bro.
The cast is led by Patty Guggenheim, known for her scene-stealing turn as Madisyn in the otherwise forgettable She-Hulk and in Peacock’s Twisted Metal. She’s terrific as Susan, the ambitious, morally grey lead whose unyielding pursuit of the CEO role at her travel agency drives the plot.
Fellow Groundlings alum Kiel Kennedy plays Larry, who unwittingly thwarts Susan’s ambitions but also propels the story forward with his growing willingness to push boundaries—and descend into madness.
Ed Begley Jr., who is always great (and whom I randomly met at the Poppy Jasper Film Festival earlier this year), appears as the head of Susan’s agency, who holds a deep, dark secret about Larry. Kenneth Mosley and Dot-Marie Jones deserve shout-outs for bringing steady comic relief in supporting roles while Ronda Dale Kirk teams with Guggenheim for one of the film’s best scenes. You’ll know it when you see it.
If you want a comedy that tickles your funny bone and takes you places you didn’t see coming, Don’t Tell Larry delivers. It’s clever, dark, and clearly reflects the filmmakers’ taste and goals—more than you can say for most movies these days.
I give it a 7.5 out of 10 and urge you to stream it on Amazon, Apple TV, or YouTube.