7 Chinese Brothers

If you’re into slacker comedies, this is going to be the highlight of the Milwaukee Film Festival for you. If you like good movies, you’ll also enjoy 7 Chinese Brothers. Directed by Bob Byington, the film follows the life of Larry (Jason Schwartzman) who is just trying to keep everything together with his trusty dog Arrow in tow. Schwartzman delivers an excellent performance as a character that’s a little off-beat, something he’s well accustomed to (see all of his work with Wes Anderson).

As we countdown to the opening of the festival, Urban Milwaukee will be running previews of the festival’s Spotlight presentations. The Spotlight films are designed to be widely accessible and crowd pleasing. If you’re only able to make one film throughout the festival (my condolences) a Spotlight showing is likely your best bet.

Milwaukee Film Says…

Larry (Jason Schwartzman) is an Austin-based misanthrope whose only stable relationship is with his French bulldog, Arrow. When he isn’t busy getting fired for drinking on the job, he’s visiting his grandmother (Olympia Dukakis) in the hopes of a loan. After lucking into a position at a car repair shop (automobile knowledge: none) and becoming enamored with his boss, Larry must try to pull together his aimless malaise of a life. Co-starring Alex Karpovsky (HBO’s Girls) and Tunde Adebimpe (from TV on the Radio), 7 CHINESE BROTHERS is a laugh-out-loud slacker comedy with a showcase performance from Schwartzman.

Trailer

Official Description

A man unaccustomed to telling the truth learns to at least describe it. Larry (Jason Schwartzman) is an unqualified, unemployable, inebriated prankster who rides a tide of booze onto the glorious shores of an undiscriminating Quick-Lube. Taking a part-time job vacuuming and washing windshields, Larry finds himself mixed up with hostile co-workers and unsatisfied customers, while also finding himself smitten with his lovely boss, Lupe Torrez (Eleanore Pienta). Will Larry keep it together long enough to win the girl, provide for man’s best friend (his dog Arrow), and do his grandmother (Olympia Dukakis) proud?

Rotten Tomatoes Says…

• Tomatometer: 71%
• Average Rating: 6.1/10
• Average User Rating: 3.3/5

Fun Fact

Film star Jason Schwartzman is also quite the musician. He releases music through a solo project known as Coconut Records, and was formerly the drummer in the band Phantom Planet. He can also count actor Nicholas Cage as a cousin and Francis Ford Coppola as an uncle.

Showtimes

• Saturday, September 26th – 10:00 p.m. – Oriental Theatre
• Wednesday, September 30th – 7:15 p.m. – Avalon Theater

More Film Previews

• Youth
• Peace Officer