Plantman & Blondie: A Dress Up Gang Film Review

Star rating: 3/5

Directed by: Robb Boardman

Written by: Robb Boardman, Donny Divanian, Cory Loykasek

Starring: Cory Loykasek, Donny Divanian, Kirk Fox, Kevin Nealon, Frankie Quinones

Film Review by: Jason Knight

Robb Boardman directs this feature crime comedy, written by himself, Donny Divanian and Cory Loykasek and the main cast includes Loykasek, Divanian, Kirk Fox, Kevin Nealon and Frankie Quinones.

There is a guy in Los Angeles who is breaking into people's homes and stealing their plants. He is known as Plantman (Divanian). The main character though, is Cory (Loykasek), a reclusive guy who works for a car park company. A series of events will have him meeting and teaming up with Plantman, initially being unaware of the strange man's unconventional (and illegal) activities. As the two of them carry on, they are oblivious to the fact that a small group of men who were victims to Plantman's break ins.

The screenplay for Plantman & Blondie: A Dress Up Gang Film contains numerous storylines. It has the rapport that develops between Cory and Plantman, Cory's working conditions as he works from home on his laptop, the two unlikely collaborators working with a group of greenhouse workers who share Plantman's purpose, Cory receiving advice from his best friend, Fox (Kirk Fox) and the three guys playing detective, tracking down Plantman. There are awkward moments, humorous moments and plenty of thoughtful statements about plants and Andrew Carroll's suspenseful and amusing music is a great contribution.

Interestingly, many of the actors appear to be utilising their real-life names. Divanian plays a rather intriguing character. With curly long black hair and wearing aviator style sunglasses, he is a man on a mission and that mission is to save as many neglected plants as he can, whether that means breaking into people's home and stealing them or watering them. Cory is the one who goes through the most character development, beginning the story as an isolated man who works from home and recently lost his partner and spends most of his free time watching videos on TikTok, before coming to understand the value of nature and having people around. And then there is Fox, a former convict with an easy-going but cautious personality, who acts as a sort of mentor to Cory as he spends time with Plantman.

An evident message that this film is communicating is the significance of plants and nature in general, how wonderful they are and that, unfortunately, many people seem to be neglectful when it comes to taking good care of the plants they have in their home. Furthermore, the story also promotes the idea of having a cause, an idea one strongly supports and pursuing it. This feature is also a commentary about self-discovery, social media and the joy of being with other people.

A film that works well as a suspenseful and enjoyable crime comedy with interesting characters. Its primary aspect is probably that it raises awareness of nature being neglected.

Plantman & Blondie: A Dress Up Gang Film will screen at the 2026 SXSW Film Festival.