If annoying is an art, Harmony Korine's Trash Humpers is a masterpiece. It's full of high-pitched cackles, nonsense songs ("A doodle all day," goes a line in the most often repeated one, "Three Little Devils") and a group of people intent on devising new ways to be as simultaneously stupid, disgusting and solitary as possible. The things that they come up with are amazing as innovations in inanity.
Korine creates what really feels like its own world, slowly revealing its malevolence. It's all fun and trash-humping until we see a dead body lying in a field...and then catch evidence of another murder performed by this group of people who are maybe in masks or maybe just melted (the murder reveal is preceded by some banter about a pet dog, folding an act of atrociousness into banal domesticity as a matter of course). And that's not all, as far as crimes go. So many questions arise, if the movie holds your attention and its seemingly plotless and free-form structure doesn't turn you off. Why's that toilet in a field? What's in the bags? Where do these people live? Why are others hanging out with them? What's the point? Are they really as free as they think they are?
It may feel like a frustrating cocktail of idiotic and lofty (as a great fan of absurdity, I really enjoy the movie, but by the end of both of my viewings, I was ready for it to be over -- and its running time is less than 80 minutes). But that cocktail can also be hysterical. This movie is as trashy as that which is humped, and its old-VHS aesthetic only helps reinforce the seediness (I don't understand, though, why, if it's supposed to be edited from tape, its aspect ratio is 16x9 instead of 4x3). Some select, NSFW-ish absurdity is included in the gif wall below. It is mostly inspired by the humpers' advice: make it, don't fake it!
You're right. Just what I needed.
Posted by: Michelle | September 30, 2010 at 02:41 PM
Why is it that I imagine some seedy, underground lair with walls covered in cheap crushed velvet and floors sticky with god only knows what, full of bins of unmentionable things that you thrust your hands into and come up with this stuff? No matter where it is you come upon this crazy shit, I'm glad you do. Your GIF walls are sheer works of art, my friend.
P.S. I totally read the Hunger Games trilogy on your recommendation. Thank you for that.
Posted by: torrinpaige | September 30, 2010 at 06:26 PM
I can't wait to see it. I loved Gummo.
Posted by: Marc | October 01, 2010 at 07:29 AM
What's with Korine and combining food and soap? In Gummo, the weird kid eats spaghetti and a candy bar in a dirty bath tub while his hair is shampooed and here it looks like they're pouring dish washing soap on pancakes. NASTY!
Posted by: Libby | October 01, 2010 at 05:39 PM
This is why FourFour is my favorite blog.
Posted by: Elaine | October 01, 2010 at 05:58 PM
th e 3 little devils song is addictive
btw, OST is available from Drag City
Posted by: MOn | October 01, 2010 at 06:40 PM
Saw this at TIFF last year, it was definitely an experience. Took about a week to get over it.
Posted by: Andrew | October 01, 2010 at 07:54 PM
Trash Humpers was amazing. Totally effective black comedy.
Posted by: Emily H. | October 01, 2010 at 09:49 PM
Man, I wish I hadn't clicked on this before going to bed.
Posted by: Elle | October 07, 2010 at 12:29 AM
What can I say??
Posted by: golf equipment | October 07, 2010 at 05:15 AM
One of the reasons I admire Thatcher is because she was clever, curious and well-informed. I think you need to get over your class analysis of this situation. I also think the idea of a conservative who has no time for the concept of the 'better' is a contradiction of terms.
Posted by: Buy Online Rx | October 12, 2010 at 11:44 AM
Musical about a loser cult freak collective in creepy masks who enjoy low-grade torture, public urination, senseless vandalism and humping defenseless garbage cans.
Posted by: Asics Shoes | November 23, 2010 at 09:20 PM