Motivation is hard to muster in today’s world of instant gratification and an endless supply of distractions. It can be easy to slip into a state of fruitlessness until something kicks you in the pants to get up and make something of yourself. It could be something as simple as a talk with a friend/family member or even something as elaborate as an anthropomorphic cockroach or mold showing up in your run-down disgusting apartment. Motivational Growth is the story of Ian Folivor (Adrian DiGiovanni), a man who has given up on life and the pursuit of anything substantial in favor of his television.
I will never fully understand Japanese Video Game Tentacle Porn
Thanks to the writing and direction of Don Thacker, Ian is a well-spoken recluse taking turns being witty, disgusting, and depressing. The tone of this film is unwavering in its ability to both sicken and entertain without losing the story in the process. The characters brought to life are all charming and quirky in unique ways without coming across as every actor trying to one up each other. The angry landlord, snarky delivery girl, jolly repairman and girl-next-door all are part of this little world where they wouldn’t make any sense outside of it.
Jeffery Combs, who has lent his voice to Marvel for The Leader, DC Comics for The Question, and was many characters on Star Trek including Weyoun on DS9; is the voice of The Mold (not Mold, The Mold). I have liked everything I have seen and heard him in since I can remember. He is one of those actors, for me, where I know his face but not his name. The Mold has a very commanding presence as well as a way to smooth-talk that is both encouraging and disturbing simultaneously; which is due to Combs range.
Bathing Bad
I am not a fan of gore. Even the beginning of episodes of Bones can be nauseating to me, but Motivational Growth does the foul stuff in a way that isn’t too over-the-top for my stomach. If you love vomitous and gory then this may not be much for you but this is tolerable even for the squeamish like myself. Adrian DiGiovanni plays Ian, and he is also quite compelling for different reasons. He does an amazing job at being both completely revolting and charmingly articulate at the same time. It makes scenes with him and The Mold very easy to watch due to the chemistry he has with Combs. I hope these actors work together again because all their dialog together is quite watchable and engaging.
The music in the film is reminiscent of old video game themes, so to me it sounds like ELO. It provides a very rare sense of eerie calm and 80’s wacky Pee Wee’s Playhouse charm. There were a few times when it was a bit too much but it quickly transitioned. If you want to consider this a fault it would be a bit nit-picky.
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I really dug this movie and I am looking forward to more full length features from Don Thacker. I liked how this movie told a very interesting story that is both distinctive and natural. Everything progressed very easily in the film else, so there wasn’t a sense of things just being tossed in there for the sake of adding in filler.
If you are going to see any anthropomorphic mold movie this year, I recommend Motivational Growth, Jack.
