Indie Highlight: Confusions of an Unmarried Couple

The latest Butler Bros. Brew, Confusions of an Unmarried Couple is a treat likened to finding the last brewsky in the ice chest, or enough roaches in the ashtray to make one last doob. A woman who doesn’t know what she wants, a man who knows what he wants but can’t have it, two ingenious brothers from Toronto who know exactly what they want, what we want, and how to pass it to us without a bogey. Brett and Jason lead us into a searing and hysterical foray through the functions of a dysfunctional couple who are on the precipice of either marriage or disaster (is there a difference?), blending a unique twist on breaking up into a mash of self-discovery and self-absorbency.

Lisa and Dan were a happy couple experiencing the life of love and laughter until Dan proposed. Lisa was so happy that she had to share the news with her old friend Jill who just happened to call. As often does, excitement of the heart led to excitement of the body and Jill happened to be available. Dan came home to what could have been a manly fantasy, but disturbed him beyond reason. Several months of video rehab with his brother, a few pranks and a lot of beer later, Dan confronts Lisa, and the match is on. The interaction of the couple is reflective of the post breakup meet ups of scores of people through the years, the dysfunction undeniably real. Dan’s brother provides “documentary” evidence of the meeting along with flashbacks and running commentary by each party.

Following the success of 2005’s Alive & Lubricated and 2006’s Bums, the Butler Bros. became known as the “Kevin Smith of Canada”. Their latest jaunt takes them deeper into the land of Indie classics as Couple reaches out and snags the feel of Steven Soderbergh’s 1989 breakout Sex, Lies and Videotape. The intriguing interview pieces flow together the fight sequence in a subtle, voyeuristic way that makes the audience feel almost guilty. The film is an official selection of the 2007 Swansea Bay Film Festival, the 2007 Melbourne Comedy Festival and the 2007 Indie Can Film Festival. The Brothers Butler has also garnered the distinction of being the closing film of the Indiana University South Bend Film and Video Festival. Confusions of an Unmarried Couple is the best Butler Brothers project yet. Look for these guys to further cement their presence in the Indie world, and then begin bombing the hell out of it.