Questionable

Questionable is a superhero spoof directed and written by Joseph Jeavons. When two criminals inadvertently schedule a bank heist on the same day, they plot to work together to take out their common enemy, the unorthodox hero known as Questionable Man. There’s no doubt that the film is lacking in substance, and the script is far from being as tight as it could be. However, the likable cast and snappy editing keep the short from dragging, and there’s plenty of charm in here to amuse audiences willing to give these oddballs some attention.

The fantastically named Duke Maplecloth (Jacob Watson) and Danny (Duy Hong Pham) are common thieves aspiring to be supervillains. Questionable Man is the only major road block to their career aspirations, and he ends up the catalyst who brings these two would-be rivals in an unlikely alliance. The performances from Watson and Pham are laid back and easy, and while they don’t necessarily fit the image of being hardened career criminals, it works in the film’s favour, building out a universe of lovable eccentrics who talk of robbing banks as though it’s entirely routine. Questionable Man, played by Morgan Moses, is soon introduced, and he immediately sticks out as the only character in this world who seems to possess any fighting capabilities whatsoever. In an unexpectedly well edited scene, he interrupts a would-be supervillain’s pathetic attempt at mugging a woman’s purse, slamming the assailant’s head into a brick wall. Moses portrays the character with a comedic stoicism, excellently juxtaposing his ridiculous costume; the hero appears to wear a wetsuit, a gold chain, and a label that reads ‘Hello, my name is Questionable Man’. It’s idiosyncratic, uncynical, and very easy to like.

It’s worth acknowledging that Questionable doesn’t aspire to be much more than an absurd romp, and while it succeeds in being a fairly dumb parody of a genre nearly everyone is familiar with, it’s a shame that Jeavons doesn’t use this opportunity to really comment on or say anything. Questionable could have aspired to be a little bit more; locations are limited to two alleyways and one copse, and the whole short has an improvisational energy that gives what little plot there is very little drive. I can easily imagine that audiences who are not charmed by the fairly amateur production will find themselves bored by Jeavons’ film, wishing that the satire was focused in a particular direction. While the action scenes are well edited, and for my money the highlight of Questionable, I would have liked to see more of them, and potentially expanded in scope. The cast have a great energy when they’re grappling with each other and tumbling to the ground. Perhaps next time Jeavons will lean into this, and allow his cast to show off their stunt action chops?

There’s no denying that the cast carry the energy of the film, and while Questionable’s concept as a superhero parody is far from novel, it’s nonetheless enjoyable to see a group of actors sincerely having fun, playing loosely and with room to inject their own personality into the film. Jeavons knows his strengths, and at only 8 minutes in length, he knows how long the comedy in Questionable can be sustained. While Questionable doesn’t aspire to say much of anything, it’s worth acknowledging that this isn’t exactly new for films in the superhero genre.