Egghead and Twinkie (Review)
Egghead and Twinkie
Writer/Producer/Director: Sara Kambe Holland
Producers: Danielle Fountaine, Valerie “V” Starks
Director of Photography: Olivia Wilson
Production Designer: Luke Sanders
Now playing as part of the 2023 Newport Beach Film Festival
The current movie-going climate of explosions, over-blown budgets or the success of a film means $100 million in pre-sales (thanks Taylor Swift) and must be a sequel or prequel; E and T is the type of movie I am ecstatic to come across. Sure, we all like original movies, but I love when to have no preconceived notions about any aspect of the Film.
The lead characters of Egghead (Sabrina Jie-A-Fa) and Twinkie (Louis Tomeo) deliver a wonderful chemistry as if you asked two “Real-Life” Besties to document their life. Overall, the film is a fun, entertaining, indie-gem with a well-executed style by its writer/director (Sara Kambe Holland). This film feels like 80’s teen comedy with the addition of animation and quirky use of transitions. As the film began to roll-out its tone, I thought of the movie Juno. All great films are derivative of other films, but Holland managed to write original characters we love and can relate to. In a time, when audience needs to know “if” it is an LGBTQ Film (it won Best Narrative Feature at Reeling: Chicago LGBTQ Film Festival), here Holland and team did not “play” to any stereotypes, just to do so.
A significant reason I recommend this film, is because aside from being fun and entertaining it packs a light-punch on a handful of social issues. The film’s Director wanted to make a movie about “coming-out.” Egghead and Twinkie not only has a main plot-point about “coming-out”, it manages to acknowledge the times we live-in and how mixed races, Asian’s and women face the world. I am 44 and have never felt a time, when the mere mention of LGBTQ, carries its own whirlwind of emotions and thought.
The real-power while watching this movie is, we may be triggered to think or feel what we do about LGBTQ; but we never get upset during this adventure with Egghead and Twinkie. I love nothing more than being able to (simply) say “LGBTQ” and not prepare for some form of a dispute or diatribe about 2020.
For me personally, I love road movies and we all know they can go from bad to good with the snap of a finger. The real value here is, the script, wonderful editing and joyous Production Design always respect the audience. The script and filmmakers remember it is about story and characters and not just serving themselves as Filmmakers with an agenda.
It is rare a Director’s debut (feature) works on all Cinematic elements; you laugh, you cry, you think and (all) the technical aspects are wonderful for a low-budget independent that took close to six years to make. Overall, Egghead and Twinkie wows you with human moments and that always makes the movie-going experience good.
It is no surprise the film has been winning awards and traveling, both here and abroad, with other screenings including Film Festivals in London, Toronto, Cleveland and Seattle.
Newport Beach Film Festival Screening:
Big Newport #4
2:00 p.m.
Sunday October 15th, 2023
For more info on the Film.
www.eggeheadandtwinkie.com
