$POSITIONS: The Crypto Bro’s Dark Comedy Nightmare

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In June 2023, a distinctive collection of films was uploaded to Letterboxd under the title, “This individual is in deep trouble; there’s no way things can get worse for him (the next scene reveals) oh my goodness!” Movies such as After Hours, Fargo, and Uncut Gems are part of this list, and Brandon Daley’s upcoming “edgy, modern comedy” titled $POSITIONS would seamlessly blend with the tense group.

At SXSW 2025, Daley’s first full-length film will be introduced, chronicling the struggles of main character Mike Alvarado (played by Michael Kunicki), a working-class Midwesterner who conceivably has an obsession with cryptocurrency trading. A twist: Mike is indeed addicted to it. The movie starts with Mike in a trance, gazing at his phone screen as he watches his funds decrease in real time on a cryptocurrency app showcasing a foreboding monkey. As Mike comes out of the hypnotic state – while driving, no less – the audience encounters his fellow passenger, brother Vinny (played by Vinny Kress): a man with special needs who depends on Mike for everything, oblivious to the fact that his trendy sibling is incapable of meeting those needs.

Crypto as a Happy Mirage in a Desert of American Melancholy

The basic structure of this narrative shares similarities with Benny and Josh Safdie’s film “Good Time,” a title that would fit well on your Letterboxd list. Both movies portray tense, somewhat unsympathetic protagonists who find themselves in financial straits and make questionable choices (often involving illegality), while their developmentally challenged siblings unwittingly accompany them on harrowing and intensely nerve-racking adventures.

Rather than the Safdie brothers’ bank heist movie, Daley’s “$POSITIONS” is a semi-autobiographical account that reflects his embarrassing period of trading stocks and crypto during the COVID-19 lockdown. Drawing himself into the questionable and fraudulent world of cryptocurrency, Daley managed to extricate himself from a difficult situation, choosing to produce “$POSITIONS” as a means of atoning for his regrettable life choices and revealing the unforgiving truths of his small-town Kansas background.

Mike Alvarado boasts about “employing NFTs to generate funds” and operating independently as a “full-time investor,” all while witnessing the falling worth of his portfolio. He seems unable to resist exchanging funds for XMUN crypto, and each action he takes will likely make viewers uncomfortable, on the brink of hurling expletives at the screen. A wave of pity and sadness is likely to follow, as it becomes evident that Mike’s life has not been an easy journey.

The story revolves around Mike, who is grappling with numerous personal struggles such as the death of his mother, his father and cousin’s battles with substance abuse, and a childhood trauma that affects his relationship with his girlfriend, Charlene. This narrative combines elements of tragedy, stemming from Mike’s life circumstances, with the humor reminiscent of ’90s to early 2000s comedy, making it both poignant and amusing at times. In essence, Mike serves as a representation of his small-town American upbringing and a contemporary warning tale.

A Despicable Protagonist You Just Can’t Help But Root For

Mike is not admirable in any way; he’s self-centered and critical, he doesn’t grow from his mistakes, he endangers those close to him, and he doesn’t strive to better himself. Self-improvement and taking responsibility for one’s actions are not on Mike’s list of priorities this year or the next. Despite his numerous flaws, however, Mike makes a captivating main character. He may be a mess, but he’s also unpredictable and lively, which makes it enjoyable to root for him when his cryptocurrency profits increase, even if only briefly. Even as he faces each obstacle with eagerness and desperation, most viewers won’t hope for his failure.

As a cinephile who’s witnessed the destructive power of substance abuse within my family circle, I proudly proclaim myself an abstainer, similar to how Donald Trump boasts about his sobriety. To my former colleague, I explain, “I grasp that laborers like you can be consumed by drugs and alcohol, but I need to keep my wits about me to reap the greatest rewards.” Given my father’s descent into heavy drinking as a means to cope with my grandmother’s passing, and my violent addict cousin caught in a vicious cycle of jail, treatment, and relapse, it’s no wonder I maintain such resolve. However, my crypto trading exhibits all the signs of compulsive gambling – much like drugs or alcohol – activating the brain’s reward centers in an equally damaging manner.

In various aspects, Mike seems to lack self-awareness, often displaying an overconfidence reminiscent of the character Michael Scott from “The Office.” Just like Steve Carell’s iconic portrayal, Mike also expresses a fondness for inside jokes, dreaming of one day joining such a group. However, beneath his cheerful grin lies a deeper sadness that Kunicki expertly conveys through his acting skills. As each stream of optimistic words spills from Mike’s mouth, Kunicki’s face offers a more accurate portrayal of the character’s true emotions. The writers have crafted Mike with near-perfection, and thanks to Kunicki’s powerful performance, we can vividly sense his fear, pain, shame, and anxiety.

A Middling Second Act and Underdeveloped Female Characters Keep $POSITIONS From Greatness

It’s not essential for every modern movie to embody feminist themes, but it’s somewhat disheartening that the film “$POSITIONS” doesn’t meet the requirements of the Bechdel test, even though a brief scene involving unnamed women playing Never Have I Ever might seem to qualify (it actually doesn’t). It’s important to note that Alison Bechdel herself acknowledges that her Bechdel test was intended as a humorous remark and not a strict measure. However, the female characters in “$POSITIONS” are underdeveloped and lack depth, which is problematic because the main character’s girlfriend, Charlene, fails to offer a compelling counterpoint. Aunt Barb (played by Sue Hausmann) is a one-dimensional character that could be excused if Charlene were fully realized, but unfortunately, she isn’t.

In many scenes throughout the movie, Charlene takes whatever scraps are offered to her, as her boyfriend consistently prioritizes himself. It’s hard to discern any benefits she derives from this relationship. Although it’s satisfying to watch Charlene make a choice for herself in the end, this doesn’t erase the fact that her character is portrayed as shallow and promiscuous.

In the realm of ’90s and early 2000s comedies, the label “bimbo” is a trope that pops up quite frequently. However, Charlene doesn’t strike me as a witty tribute to a specific era or archetype. Instead, she seems incomplete and at times, borderline offensive. Her dreams and ambitions remain shrouded in mystery, and she insists on viewing Mike as some kind of cryptographic genius, disregarding all the contradictory evidence that’s plain as day. There are a few clever one-liners attributed to Charlene, and Kaylyn Carter delivers them brilliantly. Yet, Charlene doesn’t exactly embody the image of a robust female character for me.

In the second part of the movie $POSITIONS, there’s a bit of confusion as Daley appears to use excessive stimulation and chaos to maintain an exciting pace. However, it’s worth noting that the narrative progresses consistently, and the thrilling third act effectively compensates for the somewhat slow-moving sections and minor discrepancies in mood in the central portion.

In summary, “$POSITIONS” presents an unflinchingly truthful depiction of living conditions among lower-income families in Midwestern America, offering a raw and authentic glimpse into challenging circumstances with a mix of poignant sincerity and unexpected humor. It might seem surprising to appreciate the aesthetic aspect of a film featuring a distressing urine scene, but the persistent butterfly imagery in “$POSITIONS” deserves mention. This motif serves not only as a reminder of Mike’s departed mother’s enduring influence on his life, but also symbolizes hope amidst hardship—exactly as intended by Daley.

The movie $POSITIONS is set to debut at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival on Saturday, March 8, 2025. For more details about additional screenings, visit this link.

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2025-03-09 09:05