There’s something
inherently nasty about a game among “boys” (actually grown men) where sexual
conquests are compared to see who scored the biggest “get” (in terms of beauty,
wealth, difficulty and power).
But when writer/director
Phil Leirness tackles the subject in The Lady Killers, making its DVD
debut from Indican Pictures on Dec. 11, the seediness of the game; the contest,
if you will, is taken up — or down — a notch or two (depending on your point of
view).
Former college frat
brothers have assembled for a reunion hosted by Pete Martel (Jamie Kaler — as
Big Bud Dean in the current Heathers television series), who
just happens to be a homicide detective.
There’s a game involved that they’ve played before. They call it “Conquest,” but this year the
stakes are not just bragging rights, but a pot of money — each participant has
to pony up five grand.
That’s the set-up that
Leirness opens with. Call that the
first act. Boys being boys, playing
their little sexual game, but with more on the table this time around.
The second act pretty
much follows the seven players and their ever increasing bending of moral codes
and the violation of various felonies to achieve their objective, which is, to
win. They become exploitative and
increasingly perverse as the contest grinds on.
Leirness’ comedy concept,
turns dark, becomes a black comedy and then takes an even nastier turn in the
third act as different members of this little gaming group begin to end up
dead.
Who is the killer? Perhaps it is one of the women who were
victimized? Or, maybe it is one of the
losers? Is it a sore loser — make that a
really sore loser — who is out five thousand dollars and probably facing some
jail time as well.
The Lady Killers will keep you guessing, but filmmaker Phil
Leirness (Karl Rove, I Love You, Spectres, The Party Crashers, etc.)
does give you some clues if you pay close attention!!
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