Who is KK Downey? review

Recent Canadian films have been lackluster at best, but WHO IS KK DOWNEY? is a breath of fresh air that proves that the Canadian film industry has a future. WHO IS KK DOWNEY? is created and produced by local Montreal comedic filmmakers, Kidnapper Films. This is their first foray into feature films and they definitely have a hit on their hands. I generally try to watch as many Asian movies at Fantasia but I heard so much buzz about this film that I chose this as one of my few North American picks. I’m warning you that this is one of those movies that you will either love or hate. I scoured some user reviews and it definitely skewed towards a younger audience. 

WHO IS KK DOWNEY? is about two young hipsters living in Montreal trying to become successful but ultimately failing. Terrance wants to be a rock star but no one is attending his band’s performances. Theo Huxtable (love the name) is an aspiring writer who is having difficulties getting his raunchy novel “Truck Stop Hustler” published because nobody wants to buy a story about a depraved prostitute from a suburban white kid.

Terrance is still vying for his ex girlfriend’s attention but she is dating his rival Connor Rooney. Connor is a pompous music writer with an enlarged vernacular and ego, and a penchant for wearing edgy couture clothing. Terrance devises an idea to become KK Downey, the main character from Theo’s novel. Terrance dons a wig and some clothes and transforms into KK Downey. The book becomes an instant cult hit with today’s generation. But the price of fame pays a heavy toll on all these individuals.

WHO IS KK DOWNEY? is not your typical comedy. It hits you hard and it hits you fast, like an overhand right hook from Chuck Liddell. The comedy is raunchy and dark, and the banter between the characters is witty and poignant. The characters are real, and I enjoy a leading male who doesn’t look like someone from the Abercrombie and Fitch catalogue. The film was shot on location in Montreal and I enjoyed seeing the non-touristic side of Montreal- it was a nice touch. For barely having a budget, the film looks crisp and the editing is top notch. The editing of the opening credits alone deserves an award.

Darren Curtis, Pat Kiely, and Matt Silver are renaissance men as they all starred, co-wrote the script together, and Curtis and Kiely directed the film. They have a grasp of who they are as comedians and the whole auditorium was constantly erupting in laughter. My favorite character was Connor as he was an excellent foil to Terrance, and he as a certain fondness for Voltaire (I don’t want to spoil a certain moment) The film’s last twenty minutes played a tad too long and I wasn’t crazy about the scenes of the inner workings inside Terrance’s mind but these are minor things. I’m excited to see what’s on the horizon for Kidnapper Films.

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