After being nominated for Oscars multiple times and winning prizes at Cannes, iconic animator Bill Plympton is returning with his seventh feature film this year. Inspired by the works of James M. Cain such as Double Indemnity and The Postman Always Rings Twice, Cheatin’ is set to a full-length musical score by Nicole Renaud in lieu of dialogue, depicting two lovers in a perpetual cycle of adulterous revenge. With the release approaching, we’ve now got the trailer and poster.
We said in our review, ” We laugh at the joke posed to Jake that begins his infidelity, at his tears, and even Ella’s fantasies of murdering everyone. Its absurd depiction allows this luxury and may even drive home the theme of love’s unbreakable bond more. The mistresses’ movements are playful and over-the-top, Ella’s magical coping mechanism clichéd and far-out, and the whole endeavor is shrouded under a surreal sheen of screwball comedy and jealous, lustful melodrama. The story may be too loose for my liking by the end, but it’s overshadowed by the unique aesthetic and impressive artistry. Neither lead is likeable as we revel in their pain, but the prospect of a happy ending is still appealing if only to sadden the vultures surrounding their derailed marital bliss.”
Check out the trailer and poster below.
CHEATIN’ is an award-winning, surreal animated adult tale of love, jealousy, revenge, and murder. Inspired by the work of James M. Cain (“Double Indemnity”, “The Postman Always Rings Twice”), CHEATIN’ marks Academy Award nominated Bill Plympton’s seventh animated feature film.
In a fateful bumper car collision, Jake and Ella meet and become the most loving couple in the long history of Romance.But when a scheming “other” woman drives a wedge of jealousy into their perfect courtship, insecurity spells out an untimely fate.With only the help of a disgraced magician and his forbidden “soul machine,” Ella takes the form of Jake’s numerous lovers, desperately fighting through malfunction and deceit as they try to reclaim their destiny.
Cheatin’ opens on April 3rd.