Sasquatch Sunset

I had the distinct honor of watching the Zellner Brothers’ Sasquatch Sunset with a friend who was part of the crew on the TV series Finding Bigfoot. During the viewing, he offered insights into the filmmakers’ embrace of Sasquatch mythology, particularly the tree knocks and shelter building that these hairy creatures undertake, and the wise decision to shoot in Humboldt County, Calif. — the epicenter of Bigfoot lore.

Without this proximity to expertise, however, it likely would have been a much more challenging experience.

Though the Zellners set their tale of a quartet of Sasquatches amidst beautiful natural scenery and the creatures’ antics are often amusing, there’s only so long that one can watch furry humanoids grunt, jump, and release bodily fluids — and nearly 90 minutes is really pushing the limits.

With no English spoken, it’s nevertheless clear that this foursome are bonded and committed to the notion that they’re stronger together than apart, but without distinct clues it’s difficult to discern the tribal dynamics, which in turn blunts the emotional impact of the film’s handful of turning points.

And while Jesse Eisenberg, Riley Keough, Christophe Zajac-Denek, and Nathan Zellner are credited as the cast, the makeup design is so thorough that there’s no way to tell who’s truly beneath the costumes, raising suspicions of another Casey Affleck in A Ghost Story situation.

Still, Sasquatch Sunset delivers a decent amount of laughs and a surprising amount of heart, and it’s so damn weird that one can’t help but cherish the originality of it all. But a little of what the Zellners are dishing out goes a long way.

Grade: B-minus. Rated R. Now playing at Carolina Cinemark and the Fine Arts Theatre.

(Photo: Bleecker Street)