RENT-A-PERSON A film review by Steve Rhodes Copyright 2004 Steve Rhodes RATING (0 TO ****): ***
So often a screenwriter has a good idea but one that just doesn't lend itself to being made into a feature-length motion picture. Nevertheless, they try to expand it to an hour and a half, destroying a nice concept in the process.
Writer, director and composer Kurt Kuenne's RENT-A-PERSON, on the other hand, takes a delicious little idea and milks it for all it's worth, which is twelve hilarious and imaginative minutes. And unlike most shorts, which stay one-note productions, Kuenne manages to squeeze a nice arc into his storyline.
Forget dot-coms. They are so yesterday. James Coleman, the Jeff Bezos of this tale, has a great gem of an idea, combining two of life's miseries into one synergistic success. Well-heeled commuters are stuck in life's slow lane on the highways due to the lack of a commuter buddy, while down-on-their-luck homeless have trouble making ends meet. Coleman decides all he needs to do is to sign up and clean up the homeless and turn them into Rent-A-Person employees, which will allow the nation's highfliers to fly down the freeways in the special high occupancy lanes. His piece de resistance is to equip his employees with mints and hand towels for the busy drivers they will accompany.
In no time, Coleman is named man of the year by Time Magazine and others. He's a celebrity in the business world and has more female groupies than a rock star. Since Kuenne is an excellent and prolific composer, you can expect to enjoy some wonderful songs and musical moments.
All does not stay well in Rent-A-Personland. The employees eventually revolt, leaving Coleman to find employment and happiness elsewhere. You, however, will find lots of happiness in Kuenne's little charmer of a story. And don't forget to keep an eye out for a Rent-A-Person. The idea remains a good one, even if this is a comedy.
RENT-A-PERSON runs 0:12. It is not rated but would be a G and would be acceptable for all ages.
The film was shown as part of San Jose's Cinequest Film Festival (www.Cinequest.org), which ran March 3-14, 2004.
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