‘Standing on the Shoulders of Kitties’ Review | Bloated but Funny

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As a film enthusiast with a soft spot for offbeat comedies that delve into the lives of the underdogs, I found “Standing on the Shoulders of Kitties: The Bubbles and The Shitrockers Story” to be an entertaining diversion. Having grown up watching the antics of Bubbles and his fellow Trailer Park Boys, it was a delight to see their fish-out-of-water experience in Europe, especially when they crossed paths with Billy Bob Thornton.

As a devotee, I’d say something like: “Anyone stirring up a prison riot with songs about ladies of the night and felines? That’s my kind of character!” Billy Bob Thornton muses in ‘Standing on the Shoulders of Kitties: The Bubbles and The Shitrockers Story’, a film boasting one of the most unwieldy titles to hit the screens lately. This unconventional comedy might not keep the laughs flowing consistently, but it’s got plenty of spirit in its unusual account of a Canadian band caught up in the whirlwind of touring with Thornton’s group across Europe.

This movie could particularly appeal to devoted fans of the popular Canadian TV series “Trailer Park Boys” or the band portrayed in it, Bubbles and The Shitrockers. However, if you’re a fan of the quirky comedy “Borat” or enjoy films about struggling bands, this film is worth watching too. For those not as familiar with these references, the movie offers amusing entertainment for about two hours. Essentially, the underdog storyline might win you over regardless of your perspective. In the movie, Bubbles (Mike Smith) and his band, The Shitrockers, start their own tour in Nova Scotia after a viral video gets them an opening spot for Billy Bob Thornton and the Boxmasters on a European tour.

Chaos erupts without a doubt. The ensemble features Robb Wells, JP Tremblay, Pat Roach, Martin Freeman (known for his role in “The Hobbit”), and Robert Sheehan (from “The Umbrella Academy”). Brimming with laugh-out-loud jokes and a blend of road trip and rural charm, it’s clear that Smith, the scriptwriter, and director Charlie Lightening hold a deep affection for this tale. However, its prolonged duration, stretching almost to two hours, occasionally makes it feel overly prolonged.

Crooning and Cracking Jokes Only Go So Far

The TV show “Trailer Park Boys” originally started off as a series. It gained popularity in Canada, premiering in 2001 and continuing until 2018. The show focused on the eccentric lives of residents living in a trailer park in Nova Scotia – Bubbles, Ricky (Wells), and Julian (Tremblay). The storyline included their outrageous antics, absurd money-making ideas, and a cast of characters who often found themselves in trouble. They were frequently pursued by a former trailer park manager, Jim, and his portly, hairless assistant, Randy (Roach). Now, they’re back on the big screen, and the film benefits from being a mockumentary-style documentary about them.

Following a sneak peek into their unique and endearing personalities, we discover them setting off on a journey through veterans’ halls, performing rocking tunes that border on country music. These songs are brimming with sass, and primarily revolve around our feline friends, as expected. The lyrics are sure to bring a grin: “I discovered Vinci in a storm drain/Covered in liquor and glue/I brought him home and cleaned him up using cat shampoo…

After completing their short tour, which they found quite intense with its 14 stops, a TikTok video of them suddenly becomes popular, leading to an invitation for them to open for Thornton’s group. The shift from traveling in small towns to the European stage appears seamless in the footage.

There’s a memorable scene when Thornton is introduced by way of this comment to a groupie he’s reciting a story to: “[I said to him] if you don’t let go of that cobra, I swear on Christ Almighty’s f***ing nutsack, that that bag of magic apples is going in the mulcher.” That said, these gags are stellar. Bubbles once quips: “He wouldn’t know a good song if it crawled into his Hawaiian shirt and s*** in his mouth.”

Trailer Park Boys in Europe

To truly enjoy “Standing on the Shoulders of Kitties,” one needs to grasp and possibly identify with the naive yet affectionate charm of its protagonist, Bubbles. By now, Bubles has become an integral part of Mike Smith’s persona, and his real-life performances have garnered widespread acclaim, gaining global recognition. The narrative thrives when it highlights Bubbles’ out-of-place situation, such as exploring Europe or interacting with Billy Bob Thornton.

The movie gains depth by alternating between a quirky scene or song segment and addressing inquiries from the interviewer. One such question arises when a man enquires, “What do you mean by ‘rocking the sh**’?” To which Bubbles replies, “It’s more about an attitude than a specific genre of music.

That attitude is on full display when the band sings. It tends to fall a bit flatter when the music stops. This could have been remedied by trimming the runtime of the film. There’s a running gag, too, in the film. It seems Bubbles accidentally swallowed a pin while knitting and now has a perforated rectum. Other gags — from the mention of revenge banging a priest to taking in a special needs kitten called Cat Benatar — keep us amused, too. Of course, the well-known character shirtless Randy (allergic to fabric if he wears it from the waist up) is consistent throughout.

In a typical quirky comedy fashion, the journey isn’t without its bumps, and much like other comedies that hit or miss, there are more misses than hits. However, these issues seem to smooth out during the grand tour. Interestingly, Billy Bob Thornton offers guidance to Bubbles, urging him to trust his feelings and uphold his values. Keep an eye out for appearances by legendary figures such as Ronnie Wood, Duff McKagan, Lennon Stella, Rick Nielsen, and Eric Burdon. The production quality of the musical sequences is also noteworthy.

Titled “Standing on the Shoulders of Kitties: The Bubbles and The Shitrockers Story,” this film, despite a few loose plot threads and overly tidy conclusions, succeeds admirably in capturing the essence of a contemporary fairy tale for rock enthusiasts. The movie premieres on December 6.

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2024-12-08 02:33