Despite growing in prominence and production value, the films of director Bob Byington remain completely sui generis, marked by a tone as distinct as any filmmaker working today. His latest film, 7 Chinese Brothers, is no exception, marked by his blend of international art film sensibilities with lackadaisical American protagonists adrift in a comic but authentic vision of the working world. Detractors of his earlier films will find their complaints echoed in this relatively plotless story while fans will find Byington’s lighter-than-air directorial touch in fine form with a perfect collaborator in star Jason Schwartzman.
Schwartzman stars as Larry, who in the opening scene is fired from a chain restaurant for petty theft and drinking on the job. As he leaves, he tries to take a bottle of vodka as a gesture of defiance, only to find that it’s a bottle he’s already pilfered and refilled with water. As his former boss watches in bemused contempt, he goes to the back closet for a full handle of whiskey and is on is way. The film then shows us the rest of Larry’s existence. His closest companion is his French bulldog Arrow (Schwartzman’s real life bulldog), who is even lazier than Larry and the only creature in his life that doesn’t judge him. For human companionship, he has his grandmother (Olympia Dukakis), who views him with a mixture of love and disappointment and exhorts him to get a job. Also at the retirement home is Larry’s friend Major (Tunde Adebimpe), who works as a caregiver while garnishing his wages selling pills to people like Larry. Eventually Larry stumbles into a new job at the Quick Lube, where he pines after his boss, is harassed by her ex, another co-worker, but finds himself somewhat adept at car maintenance.
As opposed to most films that reveal character through actions driving the plot forward, the plot of 7 Chinese Brothers ambles along amiably while character is revealed through incidental moments, ranging from silly diversions that Larry finds in a waiting room to petulant gestures of anger and revenge, like keying a car. It’s in these moments, which Hollywood films overstuffed with plot have no time for, that the film and Schwartzman excel. Schwartzman’s persona blends well with Byington’s sensibility and he’s able to make every minor gesture expressive of Larry’s untapped reservoirs of feeling. 7 Chinese Brothers, with its lack of self-serious drama and its 74 minute runtime, is the kind of film that knows exactly what it wants to do and succeeds at that. Byington and Schwartzman are a charming team and together they’ve crafted a film that shows small moments with humor, insight, and authenticity.
7 Chinese Brothers plays on May 30th at Rooftop Films' 2015 Summer Series. For more information and tickets click here.
