HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN Review: A Shallow But Entertaining Splatterfest
Hobo with a Shotgun is a high-intensity splatterfest that will appeal to the dedicated lovers of exploitation films and video nasties, but will probably disgust most other people.
rating: 3.5
Ultra-violent exploitation flicks are not for everyone. Even one that is actually a great piece of cinema won't win over the people who are blind to the intended hilarity in absurd levels of gore. On the other hand, it's hard for such a film to be genuinely crap, as the self-conscious tackiness is part of the appeal. Keep the violence high, the punchlines cheesy, and the aesthetic retro, and you've already got yourself a potential cult classic. Hobo with a Shotgun directed by first-time feature filmmaker Jason Eisener, fulfills these criteria admirably. Finally released in the U.K. today, the film is based on one of the 'fake' film trailers that was shown (Canadian only) as part of Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez's Grindhouse double-bill back in 2007. It tells the self-explanatory story of an anonymous hobo (Rutger Hauer) who arrives in a small town in search of a better life - and a lawn-mower - only to find it overrun with violence and ruled by a tyrant and his two psycho sons. After befriending Abby, a well-meaning prostitute (Molly Dunsworth), the hobo soon decides he's seen enough, and takes justice into his own hands by buying a shotgun to rid the town of its undesirables. Eisener, who has some experience making gory shorts, uses all the exploitation film techniques to make Hobo a bloody, enjoyable romp. The film is shot in beautiful Technicolor, which makes the blood look all the redder and Hauer's weary eyes all the bluer. The use of primary-colour lighting in the film's darker scenes does a great job of evoking that 80s feel seen in films such as The Warriors and Escape from New York. The camera is shaky and often uses awkward angles; this combines with a hyper-active acting style to comical effect.
Hauer's almost erudite performance as the hobo stands in contrast to the rest of the film. He does deliver some truly exploitation punchlines ('You an me are going on a car ride to Hell. You're riding shotgun'), but sometimes seems too sophisticated next to all the leering villains and shrieking psychopaths. On the other hand, his world-weary, gravelly-voiced hobo adds some reason to the disordered, ultra-kitsch world of Eisener's creation. Leading lady Molly Dunsworth, on the other hand, is neither kitsch nor sophisticated, and offers little entertainment value apart from a fine pair of legs topped off with suspenders. The storyline ticks along at a good pace, and little time is wasted in things getting very, very messy. As Eisener proved with his brilliant short film Treevenge, he will stop at nothing in providing the audience with simultaneous shocks and laughs. Pedophile santas, lethal bumper cars and flamethrowers on school-buses are just some of the dirty tricks he indulges us with, and does them in a way that has you evilly laughing every time if you can stomach it. 
Hobo with a Shotgun is a high-intensity splatterfest that will appeal to the dedicated lovers of exploitation films and video nasties, but will probably disgust most other people. Hauer's strong performance as the hobo centres the plot around him well, preventing the film from drowning in an orgy of absurd violence and maniacal characters. Self-conscious about its own exploitation status, this may not be the most ambitious of films, but is a promising debut from Jason Eisener. Hobo With A Shotgun is released in the U.K. today. Additionally, we reviewed the film at the Sydney Film Festival and spoke to co-writer/director Jason Eisener in May.