'Tooth Shop Fiasco'
Can a film be "unmade?"
Dear Moviegoers,
What is the opposite of a movie? A wall? This is the question that I came up with during Tooth Shop Fiasco, a lighthearted comedy delivered from a hell born of confusion. At just over an hour in length, the film felt like it would go on forever, and likely could've if it were sentient. Thankfully, after being pulled apart and left disjointed, there was an ending that allowed for an escape. My escape. Back to reality.
Oh man.
I dare not "rate" Tooth Shop Fiasco any stars, choosing instead to give it a not-applicable status. This is not a "movie," but it's neither a wall. A quagmire (or fiasco) of every sort, it's about a teenage roustabout who is obsessed with going to his dental hygienist appointment and "partying." While anxiously waiting for that time to come, he wanders around, encounters some cooky do-nothing, worn-out scenarios of mass frustration, and kicking around green screen sets and iMovie title card messages from the filmmaker. I'm shocked, SHOCKED, that whoever was proudly in charge didn't go for a datamosh editing format. It's noise music that's crudely formed into what used to be considered cinema.
Apologies, but this made me mad. It's not the worst film of the year (thus far) as it's not a film, but as a jumble of mismatched scenes and individual sequences that add up to nothing, Tooth Shop Fiasco is B A D.
Is there anything nice to say? Well, those odd title cards of "thank you for watching" and "you rock," or some such phrases, were cute, and it was charming to have a director express sentiments of gratitude. Pride without fear of embarrassment is actually admirable and says a lot about someone, no matter their intent or talent.
Should any of the cast or crew read this, please know that it was actress Katie Folger, who played the frisky and nutty ex-receptionist, that made quite the show out of this hazardous presentation. She was committed and then some, playing an obstacle of a tiger to the main lead's appointment tale. It didn't go anywhere, but the record needle of the film's heartbeat did move ever so little, and in the right direction.
Without a shred of irony, maybe Tooth Shop Fiasco should be seen to be believed. It's not cult-ish like The Room, but it is inexplicable and inconceivable. If such things are of interest, consider this an escape from your life. N/A
Tooth Shop Fiasco will screen as part of the 2026 SF IndieFest, from 2/5 to 2/15.