In the landscape of today’s cancel-prone culture, Isaiah and Yassir Lester’s The Gutter aims to remind audiences that it’s okay to laugh freely. With Shameik Moore leading as a down-on-his-luck character who finds his hidden talent for bowling, The Gutter joins the ranks of offbeat sports comedies like Dodgeball and Talladega Nights. The film bombards viewers with a flood of jokes, some pushing boundaries, others playing on familiar sports comedy tropes, aiming for laughs that walk the line between edgy and absurd.
This comedic firehose approach is both a strength and a slight weakness. While The Gutter certainly tries hard to keep the laughs coming, some jokes fall flat, with ad-libbed moments sometimes adding to an overly loose feel. A bit more restraint in editing might have elevated the film’s punchlines and created a more cohesive experience. Despite this, The Gutter wins points for its charm, largely thanks to its irreverent humor, bold cast (including Susan Sarandon), and lack of concern for conventional comedic boundaries.
Shameik Moore Shines in The Gutter
Moore, known for voicing Miles Morales in the Spider-Verse films, brings a magnetic presence to The Gutter as Walt, a laid-back, seemingly directionless guy who stumbles upon his uncanny bowling skills at a local alley, AlleyCatz. His journey from shoe cleaner to pro-bowling sensation is helped along by Skunk (D’Arcy Carden), a former pro bowler turned alcoholic who becomes his unlikely mentor. Moore’s comedic timing and ability to embrace Walt’s quirks help keep viewers engaged, even as the movie zips through its rapid-fire gag reel.
The plot follows Walt as he works at the struggling AlleyCatz, only to learn it’s at risk of closing due to health violations. He decides to save it by competing in bowling tournaments, transforming from an underdog to an in-your-face pro-bowling star. Along the way, he faces challenges from unlikely characters like Angelo Powers (Paul Reiser), host of “Bowl Lives Matter,” and former champion Linda “The Crusher” Curson (Susan Sarandon), who comes out of retirement to face Walt in the film’s climactic showdown.
A Visual Comedy with Big Gags and Risks
The Gutter debuted at SXSW 2024, where its visual and one-liner-driven humor drew the laughter of live audiences. Isaiah and Yassir Lester don’t hold back, stacking visual gags on top of sharp, sometimes provocative, jokes. For instance, Walt’s obsession with oversized novelty checks and his bike-rack bus rides after arguments with Skunk nod to the physical comedy of the Zucker brothers. Some risky jokes succeed in eliciting laughs, while others might evoke more discomfort than amusement for certain viewers.
Ultimately, The Gutter might not land every punchline, but it captures an unfiltered humor reminiscent of classic absurdist comedies. Magnolia Pictures will release the film on November 1, providing audiences a chance to experience this lively blend of low-budget irreverence and relentless comedic ambition. For fans of audacious sports comedies, The Gutter may just be the unexpected strike they’re looking for.
