CUCK Review: A Wakeup Call to the Founders of American Violence

For his first article here on Back to the Movies Brian Wallinger brings us his CUCK review. A movie that is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.

Amidst the threshold of a global pandemic, I find myself in isolation like so many others.

I occupy my time by working remotely, overthinking my life and watching the news.   I see the world we currently find ourselves in, like a poorly written episode of the Twilight Zone come to life.

We are a society more divided than ever – fighting while thousands die. And while we fight, here in New York just to survive, we watch on screen as thousands continue to march to the beat of a false leadership.

Our so-called President (the name we dare not speak) preys upon the masses who live in fear of losing their ‘white supremacy’. He preys upon the fear of ‘others’ who do not look like themselves, and he incites acts of violence through his vitriolic rhetoric.

As I watch the protests to the quarantine and see men in MAGA hats with semi-assault rifles across their chest, I think of this disease of violence –  gun violence. Weapons in the hands of white men claiming to be oppressed by the ‘liberal party ‘ – by minorities – by women – by people who look different from their red baseball-capped brethren.

This attitude of fear and hate, as well as violence it generates, is the backbone of the film CUCK.

CUCK overall is a subterranean-ultra violent- Neo-noir thriller that exploits the attitudes & actions of men who allow themselves to lose control over their anger and their frustrations.

Written & directed by up & coming director Rob Lambert, CUCK is a picture that becomes less of a film & more of a documentary as it steadily burns its way through its engaging character study- following the life of a lonely yet dangerous individual who lives at home with his mother in poverty somewhere in the city of Los Angeles.

He is mentally ill-driven by racism-sexual repression and acts of gun violence that ultimately echoes from the course of real-life action that has grown rapidly.

A film that pulls all the punches without holding back accordingly. Since its initial release has come under fire with controversy.

CUCK has grown to become an often misunderstood film. The actions it exploits does not glorify them, but rather denounces them effectively. The actions of rape, violence, and racism are all a pandemic of its own that has still has gone without a sense of urgent reaction to find permanent solutions on all fronts. 

Zachery Sherman plays the film’s lead role that is nothing short of great effectiveness. Sherman portrays a man who is destined to become nothing more than a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.

His character, blames all his personal/emotionally distraught struggles on others, mainly people of color & women who reject his sexual advances.

Finding comfort only in radical ultra-right winged politics that encourage hate through a series of online media channels, this individual takes it upon himself to act thinking he will become some sort of sadistic American hero.

It resonates all too well in today’s atmosphere of ultra-right winged- nut jobs (to say the least) who have armed themselves with automatic weapons and stand in front of state houses crying out about their own “oppression”.. Sherman’s character is in many ways like these armed & angry white protestors believe they are heroes in saving the economy during a global pandemic, when in fact, they are the opposite. 

Rob Lambert is a director of skill, who beautifully captures the provocative essence of the film’s message.  

Lambert takes past real-life occurrences and mixes them together to create a small-yet monumental picture that cries out to be witnessed: the twisted patriot, and the perverted vision of an American white male.

Overall

Many will compare this to the film Joker which also came out last year with similar themes/foundation.

I believe that unlike Joker, CUCK is a film that doesn’t attempt to take on anything more than it needs to. It doesn’t drag in its pacing.

It’s a more succinct portrayal. The performances are spot on and the writing feels true to life. 

CUCK is a film that intricately balances itself out with strong messages of anti-violence. It’s a film that cries out for more affordable/obtainable mental health services.

This film speaks out against hate & aims right for the deeply-rooted core of our divided state of sociopolitical way of life.

Captured by a steadily focused hand of raw cinematography as well as sharp direction & execution it captures the chaos and vulgarity of the times we live in….times when it is easy for hate to try and ‘trump’ love.  

CUCK Review by Brian Wallinger