We have all had them, you know those days that just about everything that possible could go wrong does. We try to shrug them off the best we can but there is always that nagging feeling that not only does the universe have it is for us but it is having a good old laugh at our expense. The film ‘Search for John Gissing’ takes this notion and applies the time honored comic plot device of ‘reductio ad absurdum’, taking the premise to the most ridiculous level imaginable. This technique is a difficult one for any film maker to master but Mike Binder manages to create a smart and extremely well done comedy that will afford the audience many laughs. This film could have easily taken the easy, far more traveled road of pure slapstick silliness. Instead it goes for humor that is expertly and smartly presented. For the most part you will laugh because you know all about situations where nothing goes right and you are trapped in an endless cycle of mishaps. Hopefully you have never had a time this bad but the point is you understand and feel for the characters. Another aspect of this that many in the audience will identify with is being laid off from work. The titular character is about to lose his job and decides not to go quietly. Anyone who has ever had to train their replacement or gone to work knowing that any minute that dreaded termination notice will appear will appreciate the plight of the other side if this bad time coin. Now you can get a chance to watch and enjoy this movie for yourself with the DVD release from Anchor Bay.

It is not always a good sign when a single name shows up in multiple places in the credit. A lot of independent film makers either have to take on several job functions to either make ends meet or because they have a vision of the final product and the talent to pull it off. Fortunately for us in this case it is the second condition. Mike Binder severs as the star, writer and director of this film. First of all he has years of experience in all three aspects of his work here. He has been a fairly constantly working actor for over a quarter of a century. This is longer than many Indy writer directors have been alive. Just a note here, I am not saying the man is old; I have a few years on him myself. The point here is he is experienced and dedicated to his crafts. As of the nineties he has broaden his horizons to include writing and directing. In several instances he performed all three jobs such as the little gem of a comedy ‘Indian Summer’ and his short lived television series ‘The Mind of a Married Man’. Okay, he acted in and directed ‘Blankman’ but let’s not hold that against him; we all have bills to pay. This film was made back in 2001. It was made on a very meager budget with many of the actors taking pay cuts to make the film happen. Its release was apparently set for September of 2001 but the tragic events then put a hold on may little films. Binder did try to make the rounds with this film in the independent film festival circuit but were unable to find a distributor. An online petition, many fans of leading actor Alan Rickman helped to keep this movie alive. Finally Anchor Bay obtained the North American DVD distribution rights and the rest, as they say, is history. If any film deserved to hold on to find its audience it is this one.

One of the main things about this film that makes it special is its viewpoint; a middle class man in the middle of his life and career. This is a view that is not often seen in such a light. Most of the time we get a dim and desolate story of coping with middle age but Binder finds humor in this difficult time of life. It is also so refreshing to see an adult comedy; that is to say one for an adult audience instead of a euphemism for ‘dirty’. All too many comedies now are either geared towards young children, ‘tweens or the high school and college aged guy set. The children’s comedies are often too insipid for adults while the ‘tween flicks are filled with pop music. The guy flicks are almost exclusively puerile sexual and scatological humor. This film has something dearly lacking on comic films of late, intelligence. There is plenty of wacky British style slapstick and physical comedy here but the most important thing is Binder does not talk down his film; he respects his audience. The jokes are sufficiently based on reality to pull the viewers into the situations on a level the can identify with and understand.

Matthew Barnes (Binder) is a middle age American executive who has just been transferred to London. He arrives at Heathrow airport with his wife, Linda (Janeane Garofalo). He is part of a corporate reorganization that required his relocation. Things start going wrong when there is no one at the airport to meet them. Linda is not at all happy about being uprooted to a new city and she is not the type of personality to keep her feelings to herself. Matthew calls the London office to find out what happens and is assured by John Gissing (Alan Rickman) that it was just a mistake. Little does Matthew knows at this point he is there to replace Gissing and John is not about to make life easy for Matthew and his wife. Gissing’s plan starts off very subtly. For example he told Matthew not to exchange his currency at the air port since the rate there is a rip off. This leaves Matthew and Linda stranded in London with no cash. Gossing then has the couple go to the office to meet him making sure he is out. He then sends them off to a restaurant for a meal, it’s closed. He assures them he is on his way to meet them but goes to the driving range to hit a few balls instead. Barnes is about to close a billion dollar deal and Gissing hopes that if Matthew is so out of it and blows it he could keep his job.

The writing here is reminiscent of ‘The Out of Towners’ by Neil Simon. There is the same urbane wit here that carried that play and film. Binder has the perfect every man quality that screams out for the audience to bond with him. We watch him try to do his best unaware that the man he exchanged countless emails and faxes with is out to make his life miserable. If you have ever seen Garofalo’s stand up act you already know she was born to play this role. She is acerbic and sardonic taking her performance to the limit. Her comic timing is impeccable. There is an undeniable chemistry between here and Binder that sells them as long married couple. Rickman is one of those rare actors who can wear any role like an old, favorite pair of jeans. He slips into character with ease. He is best known for his portrayal of villains like in ‘Die Hard’ but here takes that experience to present Gissing as a corporate villain with delicious Machiavellian essence. He exudes evil but actually is only trying to protect his career.

The DVD is from Entertainment Studios through Starz/Anchor Bay. This is a little gem of a film that sat on the shelves far too long but now you can finally take it home and enjoy it. There are some deleted scenes and outtakes that are fun to watch but the film is sheer joy.