A young buck named Alex looks forward to his first mating season. But when Mortimer shows up to challenge Alex for his territory, their antlers become locked. Now if either of them are to have a chance this season, they're going to have to get unlocked, and fast.
Much like he did with The Disposable Soma, writer/filmmaker Zeb Haradon brings another of his stories to life with the help of A.I. Only, whereas before the imagery was odd, even mind-bending, and occasionally vulgar. With The Lucky Bucks he goes a step further, because the tale of these two deer - or at least the look of it - is haunting. Visually speaking, this short film can only be described as the acid trip from hell, as the interlocked descend into isolation and madness... well, one of them does. More cervine tragedy than cervine sex comedy, you might say.
Inspired by the work of German philosopher, Arthur Schopenhauer, there is a bleakness to this story. Mortimer's more than melancholic ramblings not only reflect Schopenhauer's belief that life is a cycle of dissatisfaction and boredom, they are also maddening. The effective voice work only adds to the doom and gloom, with Mortimer clearly revelling in his misery inducing behaviour. Which understandably drives Alex to try to get rid of his unwanted companion. It's only a surprise that he doesn't try using force sooner.
This leads Alex, as he attempts to escape his nightmare, on a journey away from his home. Along the way, thanks to Mortimer and all the crazy and depressing things he sees, the troubled buck comes to believe (much like Schopenhauer) that life is somewhat meaningless. The trouble is, this cervine sex comedy never really finds a funny side to its depressing tale, even tragically so. And it is that bleakness that can make the story difficult to connect with - especially if you don't buy into Schopenhauer's way of thinking.
There is, however, something about the imagery of The Lucky Bucks. You certainly have to see it to believe it! The images are haunting, certainly. Appropriately so, I would argue. But there is a strange beauty to this trippy short as well. Especially in the way they seem to blend, twist and almost evolve as the film goes on. Inspired by the work of Vanessa Steinhilb, it's incredible how closely the visuals resemble her artistic stylings. Although that should also be a concern, given how the images are generated. That said, much like with Haradon's previous work, there is something reassuring in what you're seeing; the machines aren't quite ready to rise up... just yet.
The imagery behind this crazy tale of interlocked deer is both haunting and oddly mesmerising. There is beauty in it, and yet there are times when what you’re seeing may put you off your dinner. Unfortunately, while nailing the sense of tragedy and meaningless that is born out of Alex and Mortimer’s journey, this cervine sex comedy never really finds a funny side.
4/10
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