My cat can eat a whole watermelon

I've wanted to see Rubin and Ed for a long time. The first time I heard about it was when Joe Escalante of The Vandals (one of my favourite bands at the time) mentioned the film as one of his favorites on the band website at some point in the late 90-s (I think). That was before super-fast internet connections and downloading films just wasn't done, by me anyway. As far as I know the film has never been released in the UK and has never been released "properly" on DVD at least. The only way you can get it on DVD is by ordering it directly from the director himself, Trent Harris.


Anyway, I finally got round to watching it last night and what a delightful little film it turned out to be. Made in 1991 it stars Crispin Glover as Rubin and Howard Hesseman as Ed, two strangers whose paths cross by accident and who embark on a strange and wonderful journey together. Rubin is a social recluse mourning the death of his beloved cat. When his mother confiscates his stereo and refuses to hand it back until he makes some friends, Rubin is forced to leave the house. He soon bumps into Ed, who's unsuccessfully trying to lure strangers off the street to sign up for the dodgy 'get-rich-through-real-estate' Organisation he's working for. Rubin promises to attend the seminar if they can just bury his dead cat first. The cat has been kept in the freezer while he's been mourning/waiting for the right place, so into a cool box and then into the trunk of Ed's car it goes. However, the "right place" proves rather difficult to find and they soon find themselves lost in the middle of the desert without water or food. That's pretty much it. Rubin and Ed argue, get separated, find each other again, argue some more and strange friendship slowly develops. So, not a whole lot happens, but the way it's played is just mesmerising. With plenty of memorable dialogue and surreal imagery, it's just an absolute pleasure to watch. It's quirky, sweet and extremely well acted. Crispin Glover is especially brilliant.

So, do seek this film out. It's a charming little indie gem that deserves to be seen.

Here's a clip to whet your appetite.



Order the film directly from Director Trent Harris here.