Hexed (1993)

After watching Maniac Cop 2 and The Hidden, I noticed another Claudia Christian movie, Hexed. I decided to check it out when I saw that it was the only film written and directed by Alan Spencer. Spencer created the cult TV comedy Sledge Hammer!, that ran from 1986-88. That series was an over-the-top parody of Dirty Harry-style cop characters. I watched it a few years ago and enjoyed the combination of cartoonish violence and goofy gags. That show was a little controversial at the time, with various critics, network executives, and viewers finding it to be in bad taste and not getting or enjoying the joke. Hexed bombed in theaters in 1993 and was savaged by critics, but I thought it might be another case of Spencer's humor not being for everyone.

Matt Welsh (Arye Gross) has worked as a hotel clerk for 12 years and entertains himself with constant lies and schemes. His adorable redhead co-worker Gloria (Adrienne Shelly) likes him despite this. That would seem completely unbelievable if the deck wasn't stacked with their assistant manager Simon being such an uber-douche that you can understand why Gloria and their boss Mr. Levine (Norman Fell) like Matt better. When Matt finds out that international supermodel Hexina (Christian) is coming to his hotel, he concocts his boldest lie yet. He will end up spending the night with Hexina and getting a lot more than he bargained for (mayhem and murder!).

Spencer's humor is in full effect here. Early on we see a Hexina ad for the fragrance "Indifference" that gets sillier and sillier. Slapstick laws apply, with characters bouncing up ok from huge falls, but people will also be shot dead and stay that way. In fact, one of my biggest laughs in the movie came from a sudden gunshot to the head. That and another bit where the cops shoot an innocent bystander during a chase and don't even skip a beat are the kind of black-hearted Spencer gags that I imagine rubbed people the wrong way. There are lots of funny one-liners or moments. There are also plenty of moments that don't work. Sometimes it's the actors, sometimes it's the script or direction. Gross can be grating at times. Christian is cringe-inducing during the "funny" sex scene, but I can also imagine the director off camera telling her to go bigger and bigger. Overall, I found her a stronger comedic performer than Gross (her screaming and swearing in anger is a pretty reliable laugh). Supporting cast is solid, including R. Lee Ermey as the investigating detective.

I laughed frequently for the first 2/3 of the movie. The jokes aren't at a Zucker/Abrams/Zucker level of density (although similar in their silliness), but there are still enough of them to make up for the many misses. Unfortunately, the last act has less gags and centers on a big set piece with our leads in danger and zzzz..... There are still some laughs, though. When Gloria quotes Oscar Wilde during questioning, Ermey responds "I burn better books than that on Sundays, you filthy hippie! Wait... strike that hippie part from the record." I was also disappointed that Gloria gets together with Matt at the end after he was such a prick throughout. I know that's how these movies go, but I thought Spencer might subvert it or go for a crazy or dark ending gag. It DOES end with Matt being assaulted by the long-suffering hotel guest he has pissed off throughout the movie, but it doesn't feel like enough.

Signs o the times: 1992 song "Divine Thing" by The Soup Dragons opens the movie (a very on the nose choice). Time passing is shown via visual gag of Chia Pet growth.

BUMMER END NOTE: I need to stop looking at wikipedia while I am watching a movie. After Gloria is introduced, I immediately looked up Adrienne Shelly because she was a cute actress I had never seen before. Which is how I found out she died an untimely death in 2006 at age 40. Police ruled it a suicide, but her husband insisted otherwise. Eventually a construction worker from her building was charged with manslaughter. Shelly first gained attention for her work in two Hal Hartley movies, then later wrote and directed her own acclaimed features. I am adding those to the list, and I have long meant to check out Hal Hartley's work. But first I will probably end up watching her in Teresa's Tattoo and Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, because those sound like trashy fun and I am a basic bitch.