Film Review: The Mimic (2020)

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SYNOPSIS:

A man suspects his friend may be a sociopath and goes to extreme lengths to uncover the truth about him and his wife, who he eventually begins to fancy.

REVIEW:

: a person who copies the behavior or speech of other people

: a person who mirrors other people

: an animal that naturally looks like something else

Based on a true story, this clever, intriguing, and hyperbolic comedy follows the main character – ‘the Narrator’ (Thomas Sadoski) who is befriended by his young new neighbor ‘the Kid’ (Jake Robinson), after he joins the local newspaper team.

Obsessed with the idea that the Kid may be a sociopath, the Narrator goes to extreme lengths to uncover the truth about him and his wife, a woman he ultimately begins to fancy. Between long walks down the street, a twisted dinner date, and a car drive gone terribly wrong, the Narrator gets closer and closer to the truth about the Kid. But the truth, as he finds, is anything but what he expected.

“Sociopaths have been portrayed as a shady bunch up until now. Inspired by true events, this confrontational comedy explores the uncharted territory of the lighter side of a sociopath,” says Mazziotti. “I applaud Gravitas Ventures introducing audiences to an alternate character dynamic which has yet to be portrayed under comedic scrutiny on screen… yet he lives among us all.”

Directed and written by Thomas F. Mazziotti, The Mimic stars Jake Robinson, Gina Gershon, Jessica Wlater, Thomas Sadoski, and more. Thomas Sadoski serves as The Narrator of this hilarious film. Jake Robinson is The Kid. He “infiltrated” the town. There is always some kind of psychology in films that talks about sociopaths and narcissist. Life is chaotic at times. The dry humor and sarcasm run easily in this film.

We meet the group of nosy suburban neighbors. They have a newspaper. Lord, what do they write about? This movie is hilarious so far. The whole mushroom conversation and Jake Robinson walking and holding mushrooms for his “mushroom society.” It’s great. During a trip to the eye doctor, The Narrator wants glasses so no one can see him. He’s a writer. It’s pretty clear.

The Narrator heads to the library to do some research. What is he researching? Sociopaths! There are different types. He learns this from the Librarian (Jessica Keenan Wynn). The Narrator is trying to figure The Kid out. They go to dinner. The poor waiter (Matthew Maher).

A sociopath in case anyone is interested… The definition, courtesy of Google is, “a person with a personality disorder manifesting itself in extreme antisocial attitudes and behavior and a lack of conscience.”

You can always discuss what the difference between a psychopath and a sociopath.

Back to the movie, Gina Gershon (Killer Joe, Face Off) plays Paula. The Kid has a conversation with Paula. Well, he sort of has a conversation. The Narrator has a conversation with the waiter. The Mimic feels like the therapy we all need. Austin Pendleton plays the Driver. He has an interesting encounter with The Narrator and The Kid.

Back in the day, it wasn’t always okay for people to outright say they go to therapy or see a shrink. People would look at you funny. It seems to be a little more okay that people go to therapy and look at what is wrong with them. Trauma, sadly so many of us have it. Therapy is so accepted now; they have online therapy. Also, therapists will see you online due to the coronavirus.

Therapy, psychologist, and psychiatrist can be helpful. You just have to try.

Back to the movie. Now, M. Emmet Walsh (The Jerk, Blade Runner, Knives Out) is the Director and Doug Plaut is the Writer. They are telling this story. The Narrator is having a good conversation with a friend played by Tammy Blanchard (The Good Shepherd, The Invitation). The Kid is watching a movie with his wife (Vanna Pilgrim, Summer of Blood, A Crime to Remember). He seems to have had a life-changing moment.

This movie is funny and the actors deliver excellent performances.

The Narrator is having a conversation now with his Neurotic Lawyer (Josh Pais, Joker). The Narrator heads over to The Kid’s house. The dialogue is great in this movie. Life is strange yet funny. The Mimic is a fun movie. It’s different and fascinating to listen to the back-and-forth dialogue between The Kid and The Narrator. It’s like a therapist that needs to talk to their psychiatrist.

Make sure to check out The Mimic.