Lars Shrike Walks the Night, Starring Kelsey Grammer

Lars Shrike is a stranger in a strange land. However, he meta-science fiction story is not very Heinleinesque. Instead, he shares a strange kinship, with Richard Kendred, the fictional science fiction author, who was the protagonist of Gary Walkow’s 1987 indie The Trouble with Dick. In fact, Walkow has produced an entire shared world of neurotic sf-flavored micro-budget films, also including Crashing and The Trouble with Dot & Harry. Fortunately, his latest stands alone relatively easily, since its predecessors are not widely available. Indeed, the title character is often more confused than viewers throughout Gary Walkow’s Lars Shrike Walks the Night, which releases today on VOD.

Even though Shrike suffers from amnesia, after escaping from a prison planet, it is easy to relate to his immediate problems. He is thirsty, tired, and cannot find a compatible charger for his combination blaster and AI companion. As she loses power, she also loses functionality. Hence, several weird alien critters manage to attack Shrike without her sounding an alarm.

Nevertheless, this is our world, or at least one that is close enough to be recognizable. So, how did he get here? And how did the savage little creatures? Perhaps it is all some sort of psychotic delusion. Yet, the few and the proud will recognize Shrike’s name from The Trouble with Dick. When Shrike also discovers the connection, things really start getting meta.

Unlike Shrike, most viewers might largely guess Walkow’s game. Nevertheless, Kelsey Grammer’s portrayal of the miserable and bewildered title character is shockingly and acutely compelling. Without question, this is one of his best straight dramatic performances in years, so it is a pity relatively few viewers will likely see it.

Frankly, the film just wouldn’t work if Grammer hadn’t delivered at such a high level, because he must carry it from start to finish. However, he has a rather touching scene with Kati Schwartz, who is also excellent as a kindly librarian. Grammer’s verbal sparring with David Clennon is also quite riveting. It is also quite significant for those who know Walkow’s work, because Clennon played Shrike in The Trouble with Dick.

Throughout the film, Walkow so thoroughly evokes the desert heat, you might start to feel light-headed and feveish. Somehow, he maintains a surreal tone, without indulging in pretention. In all honestly, Lars Shrike will drastically alter your perception of Grammer, in a positive way. Recommended for fans of adventurous cult cinema and the ultra-indie filmmakers of the 1980s, who stayed indie, Lars Shrike Walks the Night releases today (7/24) on VOD.