To those who have not heard episode 259 of Kevin Smith and Scott Mosiers podcast entitled Smodcast, you might be completely caught off guard by the notion of a film that is essentially one man turning another man into a walrus. To truly appreciate the film a little bit of backstory is in order. While conversing with Mosier, Smith mentions that he had received a link for an article on gumtree.net which is essentially the UK version of Craigslist. Attached below is said advert.
Hello, I am looking for a lodger in my house. I have had a long and interesting life and have now chosen Brighton as a location for my retirement. Among the many things I have done in my life is to spend three years alone on St. Lawrence Island. These were perhaps the most intense and fascinating years of my life, and I was kept in companionship with a walrus whom I named Gregory. Never have I had such a fulfilling friendship with anyone, human or otherwise, and upon leaving the island I was heartbroken for months. I now find myself in a large house over looking Queens Park and am keen to get a lodger. This is a position I am prepared to offer for free (eg: no rent payable) on the fulfillment of some conditions. I have, over the last few months, been constructing a realistic walrus costume, which should fit most people of average proportions, and allow for full and easy movement in character. To take on the position as my lodger you must be prepared to wear the walrus suit for approximately two hours each day (in practice, this is not two hours every day – I merely state it here so you are able to have a clear idea of the workload). Whilst in the walrus costume you must be a walrus – there must be no speaking in a human voice, and any communication must entail making utterances in the voice of a walrus – I believe there aer recordings available on the web – to me, the voice is the most natural thing I have ever heard. Other duties will involve catching and eating the fish and crabs that I will occasionally throw to you whilst you are being the walrus. With the exception of this, you will be free to do whatever you choose, and will have a spacious double room, complete run of the house (with the exception of my bedroom and my workshop), and use of all facilities within. I am a considerate person to share a house with, and other than playing the accordion my tastes are easy to accomodate.
Due to the nature of this position I will need to audition all applicants before agreeing to take the chosen candidate on as a lodger. Please contact me if you have any questions.
So inspired, you can literally here the excitement in Smiths voice as the idea of turning an ad about a man providing free rent for wearing a costume morphs into the spark and seedling concept of what would become Tusk. Smith and Mosier riff on casting decisions (originally John Cusack and James Franco) other movies that influenced the concept such as The Human Centipede and Ironman as well as crucial plot points that were fodder for the episode.
Surprisingly Smith didn’t just let this be grist for the conversation mill but rather backed it up by writing a screenplay, securing funding and acquiring a cast that transcends the material of the walrus film.
The finished product an only be described as an instant cult classic. What truly sets the film apart is the commitment to the craft that belies the material to which they’re serving. This is a film that is dark yet comedic and everyone plays it straight. It is a film with strong performances from a great cast that just so happens to be about one man turning the other into a human rendering of his best friend a walrus named Mr Tusk.
Sporting a stash almost as creepy as the walrus costume Justin Long (Wallace) is truly committed, playing a pod caster who likes to exploit the stars of viral videos with his best friend Teddy (Haley Joel-Osment) on their podcast “The Not See Party”. When the kill bill kid is no longer available for interview not one to squander an entire trip to Manitoba Canada for nothing. Wallace finds a replacement whilst taking a leak. Spotting an odd ad above a urinal, Wallace soon finds himself enjoying a cup of tea while he hears the magnificent tales from the eccentric Howard Howe (the supremely underated Michael parks, he was shamelessly overlooked for his work in Smith’s Red State. He chews up the scenery and lures you in strictly by his unique cadence and vocal inflections. ) soon Wallace finds himself on the wrong side of a twisted body modification as Howe turns him into a walrus. Make no mistake about it 50 or so minutes in you see Justin Long as a human walrus for most people that is all they are going to need to decide if you are going to take a puff on Mr Smith’s particular brand of weed, which by the way there are in fact two strains of tusk themed marijuana “Mr Tusk” and “White Walrus” that is not a joke.
The other half of the film is Wallace’s girlfriend Ally (the gorgeous Genesis Rodriguez who actually can act as evident by her monologue) along with podcast mate Teddy as they hunt for Wallace in the great white north. The two team up with world renowned Canadian actor Guy Lapointe who stars as a police detective version of himself.
The great thing about Tusk is how one simple conversation has lead to a film all before a vocal twitter audience that greenlit the project simply by replying #walrusyes on twitter. Who would have thought the most democratic thing to come out of America was a walrus movie based in Canada. Six months from the ideas inception Kevin Smith was on a set directing. Pulling finally nuanced performances from a stellar group of actors. This is about as polarizing a film as one is going to get, you are either going to be jazzed going along for the ride or you are going to be completely turned off there is no middle ground hear.
Me I am all in going full walrus.
Grade -85
