Kajillionaire

 

Kajillionaire (HBO and HBO Max)

This is a funny and poignant film. It is in the style of the theater of the absurd. The family are grifters and petty criminals. They treat their daughter more as an accomplice rather than a daughter. They named her Old Dolio to entice a lottery winner of the same name dying of cancer to give them part of his winnings (unfortunately he spent the money on medicine) . The family code is to split everything one third each. Their home is an empty office adjacent to a soap factory. Every day the walls leak copious amount of soap suds. They owe back rent and their attempts to avoid the landlord are hilarious.

Their relationship is more like associates rather than a family. Old Dolio is emotionally stunted  from  lack of love from her family. She is played by Evan Rachael Wood (Westworld) who is emotionless and as drab as her tired track suit. She participates in the family’s schemes including stealing  blank checks from home bound elderly people and forging their signature.

The father, Robert Dyne, is played by the incomparable Richard Jenkins. He plays the role as a real low life without any redeeming values. He displays great comic timing in his usual understated performance. The mother is played by Debra Winger. Devoid of love for her daughter she is nearly transparent. She is the partner in crime to Old Dolio rather than a mother. The absence of motherly tenderness deeply affects Old Dolio.

Gina Rodriguez is the outsider who joins the family. She is a Latina, specifically Puerto Rican. Emotionally   she is the exact opposite of the family. She is sexual, demonstrative and engaging. She is also larcenous and awkwardly fits in with the family. Her performance was endearing and passionate serving as  a counterpoint to the family’s shallowness.

This film is a little jewel quarantined by Covid. It is worth seeing,  you will enjoy it.