Uwishunu.com

Post by Joel Franke

On Thursday, October 23 2008, the Philly-based production company Sweaty Robot held the Philadelphia Premiere of their film Happy Birthday, Harris Malden, at Drexel University’s Bossone Auditorium.

The project sprung from an award-winning documentary idea, and the production value is charming and clean, not at all telling of the company’s limited, independent budget. But most of all, it is a showcase of well-written, well-executed real-world wit and endearingly humorous — not at all laughable — theatrical performances.

But don’t let the film’s plunky piano and accordion soundtrack or the physical humor fool you. The film follows Harris and his friends through series of dynamic events and decisions and explores the broad-ranging themes of platonic evolution within a community and the causality of perpetual — albeit well-intended — deception; it does all this working alongside the always funny fake facial hair of an aspiring architect.

If you can’t get around to a screening, pick up the DVD at www.happybirthdayharrismalden.com.