As anybody who’s worked in independent cinema for as long as Lloyd Kaufman has, he can tell you it’s rough. Tempers flare up, cast/crew members come and go, the money runs dry, and many other things can go wrong. The problems don’t stop there, as you’ll have to deal with corrupt executives, stuck-up critics, and stingy audiences. Even still, people like Lloyd Kaufman persevere because they see value in the work they do and keep going. In 1998, Kaufman and James Gunn wrote All I Need to Know about Filmmaking I Learned from the Toxic Avenger. Since Gunn had written Tromeo & Juliet, he was the perfect choice to compile all of Lloyd’s personal stories. Finding inspiration, Kaufman adapted the book into a film that, while fictional, showed what filming a Troma movie was like. The result was the wildly bombastic and absurdly over-the-top 1999 horror/comedy Terror Firmer.
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Synopsis
Larry Benjamin (Lloyd Kaufman) is a blind film director who is trying to make his greatest film yet. However, between caring for his daughter Audrey (Charlotte Kaufman) and dealing with a difficult crew, that’s easier said than done. An unknown person is killing off people closely associated with the film in gruesome ways to make matters worse. In the middle of all this, there’s production assistant Jennifer (Alyce LaTourelle), who’s caught up in a love triangle. On the one hand, there’s Casey (Will Keenan), the boom operator that’s ruggedly handsome but somewhat stuck up. On the other hand, there’s Jerry (Trent Haaga), a special effects guy who’s eccentric but also passionate about his work. At first, Jennifer goes for Casey, but then she sees through Jerry’s eccentricities and falls for him to Casey’s chagrin. Who is this mysterious killer, why are they doing this, and will they be stopped?
Review
While The Toxic Avenger is the film Troma’s best known for, Terror Firmer is quite possibly the ultimate Troma movie. Not only is this a wildly entertaining horror/comedy, but it also shows just how chaotic independent filming can be. Larry Benjamin’s speech about how horrible the world is and how a film set is worse perfectly exemplifies Lloyd’s experiences. From whiny crew members quitting and taking equipment to cast members having nervous breakdowns, it’s everything found in independent filmmaking. Even if you’re not as familiar with filmmaking, everyone can relate to having a difficult time working on tough projects. Mixed in with all this is an insanely over-the-top, ridiculously gross, and horribly politically incorrect slasher film. There are so many memorably gruesome and bloody death scenes involving broken bongs, killer escalators, exploding breasts, and many more. You’ll never hear “Amazing Grace” the same way again.
Like many other Troma films, many performances are exaggerated and ridiculous, though not to any obnoxious levels. Will Keenan makes for a loveably hateful prick that’s so stuck up and pretentious, yet charismatic and even threatening. Trent Haaga radiates with so much life and energy, you start to feel as passionate about Troma as he is. Alyce LaTourelle works as the straight man, trying to act normal while all this insanity is happening around her. There are also some great appearances from Troma regulars like Debbie Rochon, Joe Fleishaker, and Lemmy from Motorhead. Some other notable cast members include Yaniv Sharon as an overly eager PA and Gary Hrbek as “The Toddster”. Admittedly, it can feel more like random events rather than a cohesive narrative, but that adds to its chaotic nature. Overall, Terror Firmer is both an insanely crazy romp and a love letter to truly independent cinema.
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