Frank Henenlotter’s magic is on full display with his Frankenstein monster: Frankenhooker. A monster made up of exploded prostitutes body parts and the head of our main character’s departed fiance. Henenlotter somehow connecting the dots in the screenplay to make this absurd story plausible. The logistics of the screenplay are difficult, but he pulls it off with purpose. From the opening lawn mower scene to the exploding hooker scene, the construction of this screenplay is difficult to navigate.
It all results in the payoff of a psychotic hooker with superhuman strength attacking men across town. James Lorinz as Jeffrey “Franken,” is a bit of an uninspired casting. However, his physique and disposition fit the character. The best bit of acting comes from all the side characters: the hookers, his fiance (Patty Mullen) and Zorro the Pimp (Joseph Gonzales). Overexagerrated, hyper surreal tone that leads to hiliarous moments of absolute madness. Hookers literally exploding. Patty Mullen getting chewed up whole with Lorinz character brazenly interjecting: “don’t stand in front it” as the lawnmower disintegrates her. Different body parts dissapearing in the investigation.
And, Henenlotter’s insistence on splicing in exposition through weirdly specific TV programming adds to the mystique of the film. Whenever the story needs to advance, Lorinz turns on the TV to receive the next objective. The film ostensibly breaks the fourth wall with a weather man clearly foreshadowing.
It’s a significant step up from Henenlotter’s ‘Basket Case’ and ‘Brain Damage,’ with more of a central voice and creative vision. Far from perfect, but Frankenhooker is the type of film that never takes itself too seriously, allowing for the absurdities to take center stage. Lorinz spends five minutes measuring hookers legs, torsos, necks…plus, as an added bonus, Patty Mullen is batshit insane as Frankenhooker. The Megatron of hookers. Great, weird movie.
Review: ☆☆☆☆ (88)
Verdict: Certified Weird Cinema
Weird Cinema 