An Embalmer's Tale

I saw this film at a festival in New York in 2000. It was a late screening, and only about 20 people were in attendance at the beginning. By the time it was over, there were only 4 remaining.

This film was a bland as they come. Actually, I can't remember anything about it other than how boring it was. I wish the filmmakers better luck next time.

This film is the story of a guy who works at a mortuary. He finds comfort in talking to the dead "customers" of his trade. Conversely, he has an unusually crippling fear of the living, and stays locked inside his house when not at work at the mortuary. Then, one day, a quirky beauty comes to work at the mortuary. Unusually, they strike it off and eventually become boyfriend and girlfriend. But the mortician soon falls back into his psychosis of the fear of the living and starts to drift connectively further away from his girlfriend until she gives up and quits the relationship and quits the job. What happens next is what makes the movie and makes this strange little film, much like a parable or a fable, work. I liked it. Hopefully it will someday soon be released on DVD by the director, Ron Berrett, who is also known for his musical talents, as he was one of the founding members of the band from Orange County that started as MJ12, then Majestic 12, and is now called Majestic. Interestingly, he is also cousin to the lead singer of the popular Huntington Beach (CA, USA) ska band, The Aquabats. 7/10