The Clogging

I have clogged many a toilet in my life and I will likely continue clogging.
Look, we all have. The immediate horror, anxiety, and shame keep us humble.
Writer/director/editor Eric Larson�s The Clogging is a near-perfect examination
of the hilarity and humiliation of clogging a toilet.

Our nameless main character, played perfectly by Brian Park, combines the
silent film era with Bruce Campbell in Evil Dead 2. Stepping away from a party
for number two, our protagonist successfully completes his elimination when the
dreaded watery stutter gurgles from the toilet. His caca ain�t flushing. With
no plunger in sight and partygoers growing impatient at the bathroom door, he
must think of something, anything to assist in getting this turd to flush. He,
like Ash Williams, will need quite the boomstick to get out of this one.

     �His caca ain�t flushing.�

The Clogging is an expertly crafted short film that does so much with such a
small runtime. There�s little to no dialogue, and the story essentially takes
place in one room. What is brilliant about the film is how creative Larson and
cinematographer Frank Sun are with their shot choices and editing. Filming in a
small bathroom may seem limiting, but every possible angle and perspective is
covered. The filmmakers effectively make the location feel claustrophobic when
it needs to be and boundless when it comes time to explore the room for aid in
combatting the rising toilet water.

The director surely draws inspiration from Evil Dead 2 but makes it his own by
leaving much of what would be considered shock value to the viewers�
imagination. The Clogging is a universal story where not much is said, nor does
it need to be. The action is immediately relatable and funny. If you are
looking to try your hand at making a short film or need a refresher on
structuring a scene, watch this, it�s overflowing with inspiration; sorry, I
had to squeeze in one last poop joke� poop.

The Clogging (2023)
Directed and Written: Eric Larson
Starring: Brian Park, etc.
Movie score: 9.5/10

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"I dyde shyte thre grete toordes." Fables of Aesop,
Caxton translation,
V15 1484