John De Hart's Champagne and Bullets, also known as GetEven and Road to Revenge, is a film that holds a unique place in the pantheon of cult cinema. Created almost entirely by De Hart, who wrote, directed, and stars in the movie, it joins the ranks of other infamous films like The Room and Troll 2 in its sheer audacity and lack of self-awareness.
John De Hart's Singular Vision
De Hart plays the protagonist, Rick Bode, in a performance that includes a peculiar musical number. In the song “Shimmy Slide,” De Hart reportedly performed under the influence of painkillers following a back injury, adding an extra layer of awkwardness to the already bizarre sequence. Yet, this is just one of the many unintentionally comedic elements that make the film a spectacle.
Plot and Character Quirks
The film's narrative is as chaotic as its production. It follows Bode and his partner Huck Finney, two cops who are quickly relieved of their duties. Finney, already dealing with a messy personal life, spirals into a mental breakdown that includes shooting at his bills, attempting to drink bleach, and possibly starting a cult.
The plot thickens with the reappearance of Bode’s former girlfriend, Cindy, played by Pamela Bryant. Her character is fleeing from a satanic cult that is accused of sacrificing a baby. This subplot adds yet another layer of absurdity to the film's tapestry.
Action and Awkwardness
Although positioned as an action film, Champagne and Bullets rarely delivers on that front. The fight scenes appear more like theme park attractions than credible cinematic moments. Instead, the film is replete with gratuitous nudity, including three lengthy sex scenes between De Hart and Bryant, all set to De Hart’s own songs. These scenes are uncomfortable and occupy a significant portion of the 90-minute runtime, reportedly causing personal issues for De Hart.
Cult Status and Availability
For aficionados of cult classics and listeners of the podcast How Did This Get Made, Champagne and Bullets is a must-watch. It is available on streaming platforms like Hoopla, Amazon Prime, and Tubi, making it accessible for those eager to experience its strange charm firsthand.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/column/971103/champagne-and-bullets-bad-movies-review
