“Forelock”

“Forelock” is an oddball L.A. story that somehow feels both familiar and fresh, a dark comedy that wanders through the back alleys of the American dream while tripping over both tragedy and humor along the way. Writer, director, and star Caleb Alexander Smith has created a satirical look at Hollywood’s culture of imitation and the currency of fame.

The film follows Caiden (Smith), a sweet, well-meaning fitness enthusiast who moves to Los Angeles hoping to become a personal trainer. Unfortunately, no one can see past his uncanny resemblance to a big screen superhero. Before long he’s drawn into the bizarre world of Hollywood Boulevard impersonators where he meets Randy (David Krumholtz), a weary con artist with debts to a drug dealer and connections to a police investigation into celebrity overdoses. When their paths collide, the result is a partnership that’s equal parts funny, desperate, and quietly sad.

Krumholtz and Smith make a great pair, and the chemistry between them gives the movie its best moments. Smith nails Caiden’s naive optimism while Krumholtz brings a mix of cynicism and reluctant heart that rings true. Together, they turn what could have been a one-note satire into a strangely touching story about unlikely friendship and survival in a city that eats dreams for breakfast.

The script sometimes tries too hard to juggle tones, veering from dark comedy to crime thriller to existential buddy movie, and it doesn’t always land every shift cleanly. The third act drags under the weight of too many subplots (including a temperamental drug boss and a quirky detective who seems to belong to another film). There’s a lot going on, and much of it is unnecessary.

Still, there’s something engaging about the film’s  ambition. It’s certainly rough around the edges, but that’s part of its charm. Beneath the absurdity, it finds real emotion in Caiden’s longing to be seen for who he is and not who people mistake him for. The humor can be bleak but it’s never mean-spirited, and the film’s empathy for its oddball characters shines through.

Uneven, eccentric, and occasionally too clever for its own good, “Forelock” won’t be for everyone. But thanks to strong lead performances, a gritty sense of place, and a surprisingly heartfelt core, it earns its place as a modestly affecting portrait of dreamers on the margins.

By: Louisa Moore