Turkey Bowl is a comedy shot in real-time, about ten college friends and their annual get together where they play touch football. As they compete against one another, jokes are told and conversations are had, and when it’s over they go home. That’s it; this movie isn’t padded with extra scenes taking place in other locations. This is a simple 64 minute movie about friends coming together and keeping their friendship alive despite the real world getting in their way.
The concept of a real-time sounds like a gamble; does it stay consistent, or do they flub with it a little to add something more? Turkey Bowl feels organic; we watch the entire game minute by minute. It’s an experiment to be sure, but it’s a successful one, and that has to do with the fact that it’s successful at its comedy. Turkey Bowl won’t propel one into fits of convulsive laughter, but it will likely cause consistent chuckles. All ten of the people involved (I’d say “characters” but they all use their real first name to blur the line) get their moments to shine and get some genuine laughs. The standout though is Tom DiMenna, who had me entertained more than the other players. His laid back nature gives him great comedic timing and everything he says is funny. He also gets the best laugh in the film, when he decides it’s half-time by lighting up a cigarette.
Turkey Bowl is like watching your friends play touch football if your friends were funny, and that comes as a compliment. This feels real, not like a staged movie that’s trying too hard. It’s short, simple, hilarious, and occasionally even sweet (this game means more to some than others, and the moment it’s explained, it was somewhat touching), sparing no time for a lull. It knows that its concept is simple, and they stick with it hence its short running time. Like many films I’ve seen at SXSW, some people may be put off by the premise but those that give it a chance may find themselves enjoying it and, in some cases, even relating to it.
