Best F(r)iends: Volume 2 (2018)

I watched Best F(r)iends: Volume 1 last November and it turned out to be way better than anticipated. Don't get me wrong, it still is a bad movie, but it's not terrible and I've been waiting for Best F(r)iends: Volume 2 ever since as the first left me wanting more. 

This one picks up right where its predecessor left, and sees Jon (Greg Sestero) as he makes a run for it with Harvey's (Tommy Wiseau) ATM and his girlfriend, Traci (Kristen Stephenson Pino). On his journey across the Southwest to find someone to crack open the ATM, he encounters wild and crazy characters. In the meantime, there's something pursuing him to take Harvey's money back.

Just like Volume 1, Volume 2 too has an incredibly ridiculous plot that makes absolutely no sense. Only this time around it is so contrived, it's difficult if not impossible to understand what the hell is going on. It is not as compelling as its predecessor was and the ending, instead of having you excited for a possible sequel, has you afraid of a possible sequel. And the theme of the film, the value of loyalty and friendship, is poorly handled. 

The characters aren't particularly compelling either. The great thing about Volume 1 was Harvey, the eccentric, over-the-top character Sestero specifically wrote to match Tommy Wiseau's quirky personality. Unfortunately, Harvey doesn't have a lot of room in Volume 2 as it focuses mostly on Jon, his girlfriend and his girlfriend's uncle. Even the weird characters Jon encounters on his journey are given more attention than Harvey. And this movie really needed him as Wiseau's hilarious take on the role was the most enjoyable thing about the first film. It doesn't help either than Sestero not only has an uncompelling character but also gives a bland performance, which is fine when you are a supporting character but definitely not okay when you are the lead. As for the rest of the cast, the acting is amateurish to say the least, especially from Kristen Stephenson Pino, whose performance as Jon's girlfriend is painful to watch. 

Grindstone Entertainment Group, Lionsgate

The direction isn't particularly compelling either. While the first part had some interesting camera angles and drone shots, this one shares with its predecessor the dull, overlong takes, the wrong pacing and the quite terrible editing. Don't worry though, if you have seen Bohemian Rhapsody you've already seen the worst editing of 2018.