FRESNO (Jamie Babbit, U.S.). 85 minutes Saturday (May 23), 7 pm, TIFF 1. Rating: NNN
Jamie Babbit (Itty Bitty Titty Committee) makes like Judd Apatow with this messy comedy about a motel maid trying to rescue her sex addict sister. Babbit tosses outrageous material at the wall and doesn’t care whether it all sticks.
Natasha Lyonne (Orange Is The New Black’s happy lesbian) plays Martha, the forbearing sib of Shannon (Judy Greer), who can’t say no. When Shannon accidentally kills one of her quickies, the two try to get rid of the body, fighting all the time.
Also on board: an unrecognizable Molly Shannon as the sister of the deceased, Fred Armisen as a blackmailing undertaker and Clea Duvall as a personal trainer trying to get Martha’s attention.
Fresno’s hit and miss for sure: a massive sale of dildos at a women’s softball convention works, an obscene rap from a bar mitzvah boy doesn’t, and there’s a bit too much screaming. But it’s generally saved by the excellent cast.
