When your girlfriend tolerates your brother recording her giving a blow job, you know she’s a keeper. Or the opposite. Either way, that’s one of many awkward situations Todd (Timm Sharp) must deal with in Rainbow Time, a moderately entertaining drama-comedy screening at the Seattle International Film Festival 2016 (SIFF).
Rainbow Time is about a developmentally delayed 40-year-old named Shonzi (Linas Phillips) whose heart is in the right place, even if he is a bit of a pervert. He says what’s going through his head, and since he’s a guy and a virgin, a lot of what goes through his head is dictated by what’s going through his other head. If you get what I’m saying.
Phillips also writes and directs the movie, which manages to present Shonzi as a loveable and relatable individual even if he does have his flaws and makes his brother’s life a living hell. Phillips is a lot of fun to watch as Shonzi, and both Sharp and Melanie Lynskey (who plays Todd’s extremely patient girlfriend) deliver fine performances as well. The dynamics and chemistry between the three are solid throughout.
Rainbow Time is pretty decent, even if it’s one of those indie dramedies that’s interesting to watch even if it doesn’t have a lot of staying power. The movie at times feels a lot like a Jay and Mark Duplass film, not surprising given that Phillips views the filmmaking duo as inspirations–and that they are executive producers on the film. The movie offers some interesting characters, a story that throws them against each other, and a satisfying outcome that feels relatively believable and sincere. It’s not a tour de force nor does it try to be.
Rainbow Time does suffer from a few slow stretches, but for the most part it’s evenly paced and enjoyable to watch. It’s not the best movie you’ll see all year, but it’s an earnest piece of filmmaking nonetheless.
Review by Erik Samdahl unless otherwise indicated.