Pipe Wrench (2009)

Sometimes when watching a movie I get the feeling that the makers behind it have taken a very simple idea, and stretched it into a feature length movie. This does work on occasion, and sometimes it doesn't. However, I find nothing is more frustrating than wading through what seems like hours of filler just to get to the main point of the movie. Leave the audience wanting more rather than have them fall asleep.

With Pipe Wrench the makers get in, do their damage, and then get out quick sharpish. Leaving as they do many questions that could be answered in later movies, if they so desired. This short movie only runs to just over 10 minutes or so, but it does the job, and does it well.

The plot of Pipe Wrench follows a married couple as they are traveling through the night. Unfortunately for them they have car troubles and hope to find a garage in which to get said problems fixed. Luckily they come across Tripp (William C. Fox) at his remote, stuck in the ass end of nowhere, garage. He quickly offers to put them up for a few hours whilst he takes a look at their vehicle. Unluckily for them Tripp is also a raving loon who believes his purpose in life is to cleanse peoples sins before they visit the Almighty. His method of cleasing? You guessed it, a huge bloody pipe wrench.

It's short, it's sweet and I actually wanted to see more of this movie. The character of Tripp was wonderfully portrayed by Fox, his delivery of his dialogue was spot on. Which is just as well as he has most of dialogue in Pipe Wrench. The supporting cast, of which there are just four, all do their jobs well enough, but it is Tripp that steals the show.

All isn't rosy though with this movie though. Saying that though most of the problems I had with it would appear to be technical flaws, as opposed to the story itself. At times the lighting seemed a little on the dark side, especially the scenes involving the initial journey to Tripps garage. As well as this the sound mix seemed to fluctuate between too high and too low. Some of the dialogue gets a little lost in the mix in places. That being said, these are issues that can be ironed out in later productions.

Overall though I found Pipe Wrench to be an enjoyable little flick. Director Brad Case seems to have a good eye for shots and never lets the violence get in the way of the story. It is violent in places, but it isn't all that graphic. In fact my favorite scene is right near the end where he lets the viewers imagination conjure up what happens. You'll know when you see it.

Short, sharp and to the point, Pipe Wrench is a good short flick that hopefully hints at a promising future for all those involved.

Rating 3 stars

Review by Jude Felton

Blood and Guts Productions Website

Pipe Wrench Trailer from Shane Michaels on Vimeo.