Rent-A-Pal is a disturbing look at loneliness and what can happen to a person when they're so devoid of human connection that they become psychotic. It's also a cautionary tale about the danger of trading in authentic in person connection for a superficial replacement. It is one of those films that you come out of feeling a bit hollow, i didn't enjoy it but I'm not supposed to and the fact that i feel a bit off center means it did its job masterfully.
Films like this are supposed to be deeply unpleasant and disturbing and it is exactly that. It's about a lonely but caring man named David who can't seem to find love, he is desperate for it, so much so that he goes into one of those video dating stores that they had in the 90's and applies with very little to no luck. What he does find though is a tape titled rent-a-pal in the stores discount section, he takes it home and becomes obsessed with the new fictional friend he has made.
At first David does inspire a lot of sympathy from the viewer, he is unusual sure, but he's also kind, endearingly awkward and he has given up his entire life to care for his mother with dementia, which is a very noble thing to do. But before long, you are thrown into the depths of this man's mental illness and the sympathy you feel for him turns to revulsion. Yes i have spelled out most of the movie for you, but you would know where this is going from the get go.
The whole film works but do i recommend it?,
if you want to be saddened and disturbed, then yes.
its very effective.
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