Frameline Film Fest: Strangers With Candy June 22, 2006

Strangers With Candy

When the cult television hit“ Strangers With Candy” was taken off the air, a cry of sadness was heard throughout the land; the news brought grown men to their knees and made newborn babies explode. Well, let the healing begin! The long-awaited film version is ready for its coming-out party.

The cast and writers from the original series are reunited for this prequel, which takes us back to when our hero, Jerri Blank (Amy Sedaris), emerges from her long prison stay. A 46-year-old ex-junkie, she returns to high school in a bid to start her life over, and hopefully snap her father out of his 32-year coma. Jerri realizes that high school isn’t so different from prison, and her hyperactive libido sends her chasing after anything with a pulse.

The film (as was the show) is a showcase for the incomparable Sedaris. Her physical transformation and soulfully twisted embodiment of Jerri are nothing short of comic genius. Sedaris and her costars and writers Paul Dinello (who also directed) and Stephen Colbert have mastered the art of shock comedy, brilliantly layering it with satire and innuendo. So all you“ users, boozers and losers” out there, get off your asses and come get a taste of this sweet, sweet candy.

—TREVOR GROTH, SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

STRANGERS WITH CANDY dir Paul Dinello 2004 USA 97 min

Eligible for the Dockers® First Feature Award

This program is sponsored by Energy 92.7 FM.

Official Website: http://www.frameline.org/festival/30th/filmsevents.html