Gabriel LaBelle Shines in Dempsey Bryk’s Heartfelt Rural Coming-of-Age Comedy, ‘Crash Land’ – SXSW Review
Actor Gabriel LaBelle, known for his role as a young Steven Spielberg in The Fabelmans (2022), takes a new turn as Lance, an aspiring showrunner, in Jason Reitman’s upcoming film, Saturday Night (2024). His latest project, Crash Land, marks a return to the roots of independent filmmaking, showcasing LaBelle’s charm in a coming-of-age narrative about ambitious amateurs. The film, directed by Dempsey Bryk, navigates the challenges and triumphs of low-budget movie-making.
Films that explore the world of enthusiastic but talent-lacking filmmakers add an intriguing layer to the film-within-a-film genre. Bryk’s Crash Land avoids the pitfalls of referencing specific titles—common shortcomings in films like Be Kind Rewind and Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. Instead of aspiring directors, this story focuses on three daring stuntmen, who engage in outrageous antics reminiscent of Jackass. The film opens with a daring setup, featuring the trio riding a bicycle towards a burning tire swinging from a tree.
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However, the humor takes a dark turn when Darby (Billy Bryk) suffers a brain aneurysm and passes away shortly after. At his funeral, friends Lance (LaBelle) and Clay (Noah Parker) present a reel of Darby’s most outrageous stunts, which mostly highlight his penchant for self-inflicted injuries. The tribute is abruptly interrupted when Darby’s mother confronts the boys, declaring, “Darby wasted all of his time with you two. He lived a meaningless life, and he died for nothing. And it was your fault.
This harsh assessment resonates with a degree of truth, reflecting Darby’s infamous last words—“Eat my ass!”—as Lance and Clay grapple with their friend’s legacy. The trio’s funk is lifted when Clay discovers his mother watching an old film, which she describes as real art. Inspired, Clay proposes they create their own movie, integrating Darby’s clip reel into the narrative. Lance is initially resistant but soon embraces the idea, suggesting, “Maybe movies aren’t shit—just the ones that have been made so far!”
A brainstorming session leads them to compile a list of elements that constitute “a great f*cking movie,” including explosions, car chases, gunfights, elves—a nod to Lord of the Rings—and attractive women. They recruit their friend Sander (Finn Wolfhard) as their reluctant director. The boys’ only option for a leading lady is the recently arrived French-Canadian Jemma (Abby Quinn), who agrees to join on the condition that their film resonates with “beauty and emotion.”
With Jemma on board, the narrative steers away from crude humor towards a more thoughtful exploration of the characters’ lives. The running jokes about the boys’ lack of cinematic knowledge remain entertaining, delivering memorable one-liners like, “I’ve seen a dozen movies—I know,” and “A masterpiece is the biggest thing there is.” The checklist of stunts helps inform the developing script, leading to humorous moments where the boys use a cut-out of Darby’s face to mimic a leading man.
Importantly, Crash Land transcends being a tale of hapless individuals attempting to make a terrible film. The film may pair well with Jon Watts’ Cop Car as it hints at an underlying ennui present in their rural town. Lance, in particular, embodies a struggle with adulthood, and Darby’s story is more complex than it initially appears. Ultimately, Crash Land reveals itself as a touching narrative about young adults reluctant to relinquish their carefree youth.
Title: Crash Land
Festival: SXSW (Narrative Spotlight)
Director-screenwriter: Dempsey Bryk
Cast: Gabriel LaBelle, Finn Wolfhard, Billy Bryk, Noah Parker, Abby Quinn
Sales: CAA
Running time: 1 hr 30 mins
