Directed by Nick Tomnay
Starring David Hyde Pierce and Clayne Crawford
God bless Netflix. Really. If it weren't for Netflix I'd never be able to see a lot of independent films that only make their way through festivals and limited releases. I mean I can't afford to go to Sundance every year. So I'm thankful the likes of Netflix, Redbox, illegal online streaming….provides me the opportunity to see films like this one.
The Perfect Host came out way back in 2010, and when I saw the trailer I was intrigued. It looked to be offering, essentially, Niles Crane from Frasier going pure evil. Six years later I've finally seen the film, and it delivers just that, and more...
The film opens on criminal John Taylor (Crawford), on the run for a robbery he recently pulled with his girlfriend (Megahn Perry). Injured and desperate for refuge, he cons his way into the home of Warwick Wilson (Pierce), who is in the midst of planning a dinner party. It isn't long before the jig is up for John and he's trying to hold Warwick hostage. The tables quickly turn, when its revealed Warwick has drugged the wine John's been drinking all night. John learns Warwick is not what he seems, and soon he's the hostage for one of the most bizzare dinner parties ever witnessed.
There's much more going on in this film that I can't tell you without going into spoilers, but it is one nutty film. A lot of twists and turns come out of nowhere, some that are probably not properly hinted at or set up, but who cares this is a twisted black comedy if I've ever seen one. You'll be face palming and chuckling to yourself at how far gone this thing goes, and in a good way, because it's a fun ride.
Now a lot of the film's success falls onto the two leads, but where one gives a great performance, the other gives a pretty bland one. I'm sure it's a no brainer to you which one is which. Yes, this is David Hyde Pierce's film 150%. He gives such a gripping, wild, colorful performance he owns every second on screen. This is not Niles Crane. This is Niles Crane meets Stewie Griffin meets Raymond Reddington. Sadly on the other side of things, Clayne Crawford can't measure up. He gives such a bland, one-dimensional performance, and the character comes off so unlikable you don't care what happens to him.
Maybe that's the idea though…maybe the filmmakers cast an unknown amateur in the role to make him seem every more unlikable David Hyde Pierce in his role. I mean it's Pierce not Crawford on all the posters and stuff. Whoa…
Anyway, The Perfect Host is an insane, fun little film. It is dark, and might not be for everyone. You might watch it once and never watch it again, or it might be a frequent rewatch depending on your taste. I enjoy a black comedy from time to time, and I loved Frasier, so this was definitely one I was glad to finally see. Thanks Netflix.
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