Event

FATAL DEVIATION

Dir. Simon Linscheid, Shay Casserley, 1998.
Ireland. 76 min.

In keeping with St. Patricks Day tradition, were dragging Irish pride into the gutter with a holiday screening of FATAL DEVIATION, Irelands first (and only) feature-length martial arts film. Written, produced, cinematographed, cast by, stunt-coordinated, and starring James Bennett, the film tells the story of Jimmy Bennett (unrelated), a young man returning home after a long absence, his future uncertain, his father gone. After witnessing Jimmys takedown of local drug gang The Drug Lords Gang (featuring Mikey Graham, member of Irelands lone boy band BOYZONE), a monk belonging to the local churchs secret underground kung fu sect approaches with an offer to train Jimmy for the upcoming no-holds barred Bealtaine tournament.

As Jimmy learns the monks secret techniques of cutoff shorts tai-chi and kicking near small fires, The Drug Lords Gang increasingly pressures Jimmy to join them. When he refuses, the Drug Lords call ace fighter Seagull back from Hong Kong to take Jimmy out in the tournament. Jimmys only hope is mastering the FATAL DEVIATION, as taught by a man strongly resembling a drunk Led Zeppelin Hermit.

Filmed in the verdant backwater of Trim and featuring exactly one (completely unintentional) stunt, this is a film best witnessed in the safety of a group. Lacking Irish wit or charm and leaving you bewildered, FATAL DEVIATION has the same effect as a day spent chugging Car Bombs, but without the next days hangover. So put down that green beer if someones going to slander the Irish good name, who better to do so than the Irish?