Watch Kevin Smith's Bindlestiffs

Bindlestiffs is a hilarious coming-of-age comedy about three high school students: John (played by John Karna), Andrew (played by Andrew Edison), and Luke (played by Luke Loftin). The boys are notorious for getting into trouble, and they spend most of their time in detention. One day, they decide to skip school and go on a wild adventure through the city. They steal a car, buy drugs, and encounter all sorts of crazy characters along the way. Their day takes a turn for the worse when they accidentally kidnap a high school student (played by Will Fordyce) and have to figure out what to do with him.

The film was directed by Andrew Edison and written by Edison and Luke Loftin. The two met in film school and decided to make a movie that reflected their own high school experiences. Bindlestiffs was shot on a shoestring budget and with a cast of mostly unknown actors.

Despite its low production values, Bindlestiffs is a riotous and heartfelt film that captures the essence of adolescence. The three leads have impeccable chemistry, and their banter and inner monologues are endlessly amusing. The film's supporting cast is equally strong, with standout performances from Fordyce, Kate Freund, and Johnathaon Hodges. The film's soundtrack, which features songs by artists like Yeasayer and STRFKR, also adds to its energetic vibe.

One of the film's strengths is its ability to balance humor and pathos. While it's filled with raunchy jokes and silly antics, it also tackles serious themes like class, race, and sexuality. The boys' misadventures force them to question their own beliefs and biases, and the film doesn't shy away from depicting the consequences of their actions.

Another highlight of the film is its unique visual style. Edison and Loftin experiment with different techniques, incorporating animation, split-screen, and other tricks to keep the audience engaged. The film also has a distinctive color scheme, with bright pops of orange, green, and blue throughout.

The film premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival in 2012, where it won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature. It was then picked up for distribution by Phase 4 Films and released in select theaters and on VOD.

Critics praised the film for its irreverent humor and sincere storytelling. Roger Ebert called it "a worthy successor to 'Superbad' and 'The Breakfast Club'," while the Los Angeles Times' Robert Abele said it "hurtles along with infectious enthusiasm". Some reviews did criticize the film's lack of originality, calling it derivative of other teen comedies. However, most agreed that its strong performances and likable characters made up for any shortcomings.

Overall, Bindlestiffs is a joyous ride that will make you laugh and cringe in equal measure. It's a testament to the power of independent filmmaking, proving that a great story and a talented cast can overcome even the smallest budget.

Kevin Smith's Bindlestiffs is a comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes.