Unison Films and Strand Releasing

Written By: Seth Grossman

Tate Ellington plays Oliver, a loner and writer living at home with his overprotective mother (Ellen Burstyn) and checked-out father (Josef Sommer). Oliver’s brother, Jake (Jonno Roberts) has fled to Thailand to avoid massive debt and bank fraud, and the authorities are ready to prosecute. Fraught with disappointment and shame over her oldest son’s behavior and cowardice in facing up to what he has done, Mom seizes on Jake’s request to have Oliver come visit him and has one simple request – bring Jake back home.

“The Elephant King” begins well enough. Oliver is despondent, has never had a girlfriend and spends time writing about his brother’s adventures. In Thailand, Jake numbs his insecurities through a voracious appetite of drugs, booze, and prostitutes. Jake funds all of his excesses by arranging fixed kick-boxing matches and lives a carefree (and careless) life. Upon arrival, Oliver quickly warms to the new world and experiences he is exposed to, making his simple task more and more difficult by the day. Add in Jake’s beautiful former girlfriend, Lek (Florence Faivre), who takes an interest in Oliver, and Oliver’s complications only heighten.

With quirky elements thrown in such as Jake’s owning of a pet elephant, Jake’s strange feud with a local Thai rock band lead singer, and a twist seen coming from its very origins, “The Elephant King” trips and stumbles around like one of Jake’s all-night benders. The actors, for the most part, deliver admirable performances, but the one standout here is Florence Faivre, who is positively regal amidst all the dirt and grime of her surroundings.

“The Elephant King” languished on the film festival circuit for 2 years, then after a two-week run in theaters, waited a year for it’s DVD release. Perhaps the studio didn’t know what to do with the final product – much like the viewer doesn’t know what to make of the film at its conclusion.

Should I See It?

YES

If small, independent character-drawn stories are of interest.

You have an interest in Thailand.

If you seek out films that accrue kudos from touring film festivals.

NO

If small, independent character-drawn stories bore you, especially those made on a small-scale budget with unknown actors.

If you have a love of Thailand. Accurate or not, this presentation of Thailand makes it a place I have no desire to visit.