"A deeply satisfying and straightforward journey towards
brothers' reconciliation.”
Jay Duplass stars as a responsible and successful brother in
his latest feature called Manson
Family Vacation. Linas Phillips joins the film as his hopeless and aimless
adopted brother. Together, they embark on a road trip to visit Manson sites
which ultimately ends up in a bittersweet reconciliation and acceptance of
one’s family.
Nick (Duplass) is a hard-working Los Angeles-based attorney
who has a wife (Leonora Pitts), a young son (Max Chernick) and a promising
practice. He is everything his older middle-aged brother, Conrad (Phillips), is not. Considered as the family’s black sheep, Conrad is a wayward
artist who takes fancy in dark and creepy subjects. He has also developed
obsession to the 1960s psychopath Charles Manson. The brothers have not seen
each other for a long time and Nick is thrilled when Conrad pays him a surprise
visit. It turns out that the older brother has just quit his job and is headed
to Death Valley where he is promised to work for an environmental organization.
Nick reluctantly offers to drive him. However, Conrad
further pushes his luck and persuades Nick to explore different L.A. locations
of Manson Family murders. Nick perceives this as a quality bonding time and he
agrees. Together, the two sneak into homes of the descendants of murder
victims, gets high, and runs into a misadventure in a hippie commune which
worships Manson. Through cult leader “Blackbird” (Tobin Bell), the two will be
forced to confront certain truths and face what they might bring.
The movie’s title may suggest a certain air of creepiness or
suspense but Manson Family Vacation is
really far from it. Instead, it keeps its narrative light and sustains that
charmingly humorous tone throughout.
The film can be
divided into two journeys – the first is the siblings’ trip to various Manson
sites and the second is their final drive to Death Valley. The initial act
explores the roots and dynamics of the brothers’ relationship. There is a
long-kept resentment here as Conrad, being the adopted son, felt glossed over
when Nick was born. On the other hand, Conrad’s apparent rebelliousness and
responsibility, especially in the face of the recent death of their father,
abrades Nick. Subtly, the tension between the two is finally rising to the
surface. This rings melodrama but as earlier said, the film manages to keep the
anxiety low-key and the vibe cool and charming. One notable sequence during
this part is when they sneaked into the Los Feliz home of the murdered couple Leno
and Rosemary LaBianca by posing as their grandkids. This exercise shows how
Nick can be frustrated with Conrad’s misbehaviours yet he also appreciates his
unpredictability and tireless guts.
The second journey takes on a darker and sadder tone. Here,
the duo meets a group of people who adhere to Manson’s view on politics and
environment. Conrad identifies himself with the group and as he is being drawn
closer to them, Nick feels that his brother is drifting further away from him.
It is a sad realization but the film satisfyingly ends with its touching
lessons about loyalty, identity, self-worth and love.
The film is also able to achieve emotional balance as
neither of the brothers was demonized. Each has equal moments of weakness and
scorn. So in the end, we root for what is good for both of them. Duplass and
Phillips strike a heart-warming chemistry for their roles. While Duplass is
effective as the uptight and sympathetic Nick, Phillips undeniably stands
out as the mischievous funny man.
Manson Family
Vacation is a simple family story. It may be formulaic, lacking any element
of surprise, but it is a journey that successfully delivers us to a gratifying
and stirring destination.
Production companies: Lucky Hot
Entertainment, Tilted Windmills Prods., om & Pop Empire
Cast: Jay Duplass, Linas Phillips, Tobin
Bell, Leonora Pitts, Adam Chernick, Davie-Blue
Director-Screenwriter: J. Davis
Producers: Steve Bannatyne, Eric Blyler,
J.M. Logan, Josh Polon, Matt Ratner, Alexandra Sandler
Executive producers: Jay Duplass, Mark
Duplass, Ray William Johnson, Kaja Martin, Michael Anderson, Samantha Kern,
T.S. Nowlin, Christopher Sepulveda, Scott Trimble
Director of photography: Sean McElwee
Production designer: Erin O. Kay
Costume designer: Lindsay Monahan
Editors: Nick Sherman, Dave Boyle
Music: Heather McIntosh
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