Gagie and the Dead is a black comedy stamp. The grief of the kidnappers who climb the wall from their victim can also be seen in many places, at least in Ruthless People (1986). The originality of the film is revealed in the details. For example, there is almost no positive hero. Paul is not sure that he is still more expensive - his wife or purse, besides, he is very cynically disposing of an unidentified corpse. The insurance agent is a surprisingly annoying and sneaky type with the appearance of a ghoul. Bandits are funny and not so evil, but still bandits. All of them cause a certain sympathy, but it is impossible to fully agree with their actions and motives.
Another original feature of the film is, of course, the setting. Alaska adds not only color, but also some nuances - undeveloped infrastructure, terrible cold, a kind of atmosphere of a decadent town lost in the snow.
Of the actors most remembered Woody Harrelson in the role of Ray – very brightly played a complete scumbag. They say he often plays villains, but before that I saw him in more or less positive images in Welcome to Zombieland and True Detective. Holly Hunter played Mrs. Barnell really crazy. Giovanni Ribisi, as I said, played just some vampire nerd, an insurance guerrilla, stubborn that you can’t stop with an aspen stake. Robin Williams... there's nothing to say. It is a pity that such an actor no longer exists.
The result: a peculiar, cynical-lyrical comedy, partly even a little thriller. To be honest, the main message of the film is very vague, but it is definitely worth watching.
8 out of 10
Original