Prank (2012): No release date available

Prank (2012)
Directed by: Yiuwing Lam
Written by: Yiuwing Lam
Starring: Hannah Kasulka, Henry Monfries, Nick Renaud

Prank (2012)

(TBC) Running time: 82 minutes

Director: Yiuwing Lam

Writer: Yiuwing Lam

Starring: Nick Renaud, Henry Monfries, Hannah Kasulka

Reviewed by: Matt Wavish, official HCF critic

Prank is an interesting one: while Chronicle used found footage to explore just how a victim of bullying would react given superhuman powers, Prank uses found footage to explore just how a victim would react with no powers at all. Prank is Chronicle’s distant, stripped down cousin, a bare bones, minimal study of how two so-called friends plan the perfect prank to get back at the bullies who have tormented them.

Nick Renaud expertly plays Connor, the main victim who has his nose broke by the bullies he ends up targeting. Renaud gives the character believability and vulnerability, and you cannot help but feel sorry for the geek with glasses as he tries to save his friend during an incident in the school toilets. An avid Star Trek fan, and not afraid to admit it in public (something his friend later uses against him), Connor comes at the bullies in a karate stance, really believing this will scare them off. Obviously it doesn’t. Standing by Connor’s side is Jordan (a riveting performance by Henry Monfries who looks uncannily like a young Corey Haim), the guy who has just got himself a handheld video recorder, the device used to film what we see on screen. He has other problems on top of the bullies, as his girlfriend, an extremely attractive Eve (Hannah Kasulka), is friends with the bullies and wants Jordan to ditch his best mate. In fact, she hates Connor so much that she throws a bread roll at his face, hilariously breaking his nose again!

See, Prank, for all its deep routed bullying themes and increasing violence, does keep its enjoyment levels up by adding in a good solid dose of comedy now and again, and to be honest, the film needed it. The story is basic, but effective as the victims come up with a plan to get the bullies back. Connor presents his idea in drawing form, and the pair, with the help of Connor’s sister Chunk, put their plan into action. However, increased pressure from his girlfriend means that Jordan grows tired of Connor’s obsession, and a later scene where the pair throw toilet paper all over a bullies house before catching the two bullies in a sexual clinch, proves too much for Jordan. He wants out, but Connor is wanting more as he seems to be going over the edge. “There is a difference between revenge and justice” he claims.

Like all good found footage films, Prank spirals out of control, and some of the violence on screen is superbly put together. A gunshot to the head later on is one of those scenes which will have you hitting the rewind button to figure it out. However, it is the strong central performances of Connor and Jordan that really drive this film. Both actors give terrific performances with a script that requires them to do a lot of talking and a lot of character acting as they both head down dark path’s they probably didn’t want to. Jordan especially becomes increasingly less stable as the film goes on, and thankfully, for a low budget film like this, Henry Monfries convinces.

The hand held genre continues to produce some interesting and clever films, and Prank is one of them. Many of the ideas have been used before, but here due to its powerfully stripped down nature, things become painfully real. However, there are flaws, and the constant switching off the camera, followed by a lengthy pause of black screen before coming back on will test your patience. Some incidents are a little too staged in places, and it is clear that this is director Yiuwing Lam’s first full length film. However, for all the amateurish moments, there are good moments, and thankfully Prank was a nice little surprise. For a first full length movie, this is impressive stuff, and Prank has somehow edged into the back of my mind, leaving me constantly thinking about it. Now, that is a sign of a good film, right?

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