A Look at Ebony & Ivory – A Bizarre Indie Comedy That's Far From Its Musical Namesakes
Crafted by Jim Hosking, renowned as his eccentric dry absurdist style, this film delivers a bizarre humorous story coming across as reminiscent of a long sketch by an acclaimed comedy duo. Audiences could end up chuckling in a spirit of surrender, unable to accept the constant and surreal conversations between the main actors.
The Premise
Taking place in a coastal region in 1981, the film presents an artist under the alias Paul using a faux northern English tone. He greets a visitor who rows a rowboat across rough seas. This is a vision-impaired Black music legend called Stevie, who oddly appears to notice and imitate the other's most peculiar mannerism: a playful positive signal.
Both men are played with performances from a regular collaborator and his co-star, both the director’s regular actors.
Odd Adventures
After sharing a beverage, a strong spirit, and a joint, their discussions play out as if outsiders encountering each other for the first time. Their dynamic changes from distrust to dislike, until settling into an unexpected tolerance. This bond is tested by mutual activities such as swimming in freezing ocean, dressing up in woolly costumes while bleating, alongside further unusual escapades.
A Musical Inspiration?
Can this strange get-together actually lead to the situation where legendary musicians to produce one of a hugely celebrated pro-harmony tracks of all time? Perhaps. But never does the film truly delve into the song, experiment with notes, or compose verses – probably because of copyright restrictions. Even so, there is laughs such as Stevie multiple times yells the phrase in his US dialect. Pure absurdity remains an uncommon pleasure.
