Rogue Cinema - Bar Barons (2007)

Bar Barons (2007) - By Brian Morton
Posted on Monday, September 01 @ Mountain Daylight Time by Duane

Who among us hasn't walked into a strange bar, or local gathering place, looked around us and wondered about the people we see gathered there. Well, Gary Teperman has apparently done that, and put together a movie that looks into what might be going on in a group of people’s minds as they sit quietly waiting for a lecture.

Bar Barons opens with John, a lonesome looking man who seems to be completely lost. When a young attractive woman begins talking to him, he's confused and a bit apprehensive about what she wants, although his inner voice (which we're allowed to see) is saying something completely different! Claire, the girl who has approached John also seems to be looking for something, but through her inner dialogue, we can tell that what we've assumed that she's after and what she's actually after are two wildly different things. While Claire and John are talking, other people in the room look on, but they're not just looking, they're thinking things too, and that's the beauty of Bar Barons, we get to look into the minds of these soundless, speechless people. There's Mike the misogynist who's a foul mouthed lounge singer in his head, there's Kasim, who's in love with Claire, but has never spoken to her and has some strange ideas of love and hate. Even the Professor, who's there to teach an Anger Management class, has his inner demons too.

Bar Barons has its moments, the singing segment goes on a bit long for my personal tastes, but that's about the only slow spot in the movie. You can't help but be drawn in to these people's lives and knowing what's going on inside as well as outside is a great commentary on what might be going on at your own local bar. It really made me look differently at the people who I saw as I went into my local watering hole! I'm giving Bar Barons three out of four cigars, it's not perfect, but it's still pretty entertaining. You can check out this cool short for yourself by heading over to the Crackle Bar Barons page. It's fun and it's really a great way to see how far writer/director Gary Teperman has come as an artist. So, until next time, when I'll be hanging out in local haunts just watching people, remember that the best movies are bad movies.