I have the worst fucking roommate in the world. We've been sharing the same apartment for almost 3-years now and every time I agree to extend the lease for another year I question my sanity. Every year I vow that this will be the last and that I will get my own place. I ALWAYS say that this is DEFINITELY the year that I'm going to cut the cord. I'll spare you the gruesome details of why (you'll have to wait for the book I've been writing) but let's just say that he's rude and inconsiderate, lacks any semblance of common sense and at one point, nearly killed my cat right in front of me. I have the worst fucking roommate in the world. This is what I would have told you anytime up until last night, because after checking out 2LDK at the Philly Fest, I'm not so sure anymore. Nope, scratch that, I'm positive that things COULD actually be a hell of a lot worse. Maybe it's not so bad after all?

2LDK is a simple yet effective story told within the confines of a brief 70-minute running time. The entire film takes place in one 2-bedroom apartment and features only 2 onscreen characters. Sharing the apartment are two would be actresses vying for not only the same part, but also the same man. Lana comes across as the higher maintenance type while Kimi seems to be a family orientated hometown girl. None of this really matters though, because once the two gals come to blows, they'll both look like ruthless bee-yatches to y'all.

Things start out innocent enough as the two exchange only words about the little things that set them off. Subjects like cleaning up hair in the bathtub or using each other's shampoo without asking. Kimi seems to be more concerned about space and courtesy as she even goes as far as to label the food in the fridge (including each individual egg!) all the while Lana looks on in wonder and disbelief. The two share a few verbal exchanges giving the audience a peek into their inner thoughts as we hear each girls annoyed inner monologue to the proceedings. It's obvious that the audience is being set up for something drastic and outrageous, but nothing could have actually prepared us for the deranged antics that are about to follow.

When things finally do get physical, the two girls start off with some simple face slapping and property damage. This quickly turns to erratic violent behavior that dominates the remaining final 30-minutes or so of the film. I don't want to give too much away, because discovering the different methods of madness is part of the fun here. Let's just say that the events to occur include (but are not limited to) the following: Electrocution in bathtub, chainsaw, multiple thrashings and/or bashings and most impressive of all, a grand finale that really does need to be seen to be believed (did you really think I was going to give it away THAT easily?) It all leads to an all to predictable if not outrageous finale that can only be viewed as the ultimate punchline to a truly tasteless joke to end all tasteless jokes.

If you haven't guessed already, 2LDK is a comedy. Yeah, that's right, a comedy...you got a problem with that bub? 2LDK doesn't go for your typical rainbow suspenders or smashing watermelons type laughs though, it's definitely comical bad taste to the highest degree. Those who are easily offended or that lack a wicked to downright nasty sense of humor need not apply, as a matter of fact, don't even bother. As evidenced by the audience reaction last night, there's a lot of sick fucks living in the Philly area...god bless 'em all!

Part of the appeal of 2LDK lies within the performances from the two female leads and their determination in believing that "the show must go on!" Now I could very well state the obvious in that 2LDK is a fine film simply for the fact that we get to see two hot Asian chicks kicking the living shit out of one another, but I'm not going to stoop to that level (oops, me thinks I just did!). Both leads are pulled off with incredible realism and a complete absence of irony. It's the built in fact that we really believe that these two women have taken all they can stands and that they can't stands no more that drives the wacky proceedings forward and ultimately into a bizarre un-reality of uncomfortable hilarity. Crazy as it seems, there's more character developement in the first 40-minutes of this film then there is in 90% of the crap that plops out of the hairy ass of Hollywood these days.

Also of note are the fantastic make-up effects in conjunction with some extremely well choreographed fight scenes. These two girls really do make a solid mess of one another (as well as the apartment) and by the end credits roll, both look a hell of a lot worse for wear. During the final act, the action moves at a pretty brisk pace and considering the fact that we're in such close quarters (we do get to know the lay out of the apt quite well) it's nice to see that execution and continuity are all taken into account.

2LDK is a sickly disturbing film, there's no two ways about it. Black comedies don't really come any blacker than this one that's for sure. This film would NEVER be made in the US in a million years. The fact is that anyone who's had a bad roommate, or even just a bad experience with another person in general has probably thought of doing harm to them at one time or another. Any sane person would never act on these notions, but that's one of the great things about film. Through a medium that can be used for complete fantasy we can act out (or indulge in and watch) some of our most perverse, disgusting, homicidal or un-PC tenancies without harming anyone or anything in the process. This is exactly why films like 2LDK should be made. It's a complete escape into an un-reality that shouldn't ever exist in the real world, only in pure perverted fantasy. It's OK to laugh at 2LDK, I don't fear for you, I fear for the person who tells you that you shouldn't laugh at it, they're the ones to watch out for.

Evelyn, The Cutest Evil Dead Girl (2002, 9-minutes) - Prior to 2LDK we were treated to this short, an impressively selected precursor to the disturbing events about to unfold. The story of Evelyn is told in an almost storybook world that features over exaggerated sets, costumes and performances. We follow Evelyn as she searches for some companionship, but being the only dead girl in a neighborhood of prissy rich girls isn't going to make it an easy task. While the look of Evelyn may have been a little too much Tim Burton-ish (including the too Danny Elfman-ish score) I still enjoyed it for what it was worth and found it to be quite a creative endeavor.

Thumbs Up to cute Asian chicks beating the living piss out of each other.