Hundreds of Beavers is Why I Love Movies
Film
Would you rather fight one hundred regular sized beavers, or one human sized beaver?
Ok, now what about one hundred human sized beavers?
Mike Cheslik's feature film directorial debut is the philosophical thesis establishing a framework on how to really think about this question. Most importantly, what does a human sized beaver look like? How do human sized beavers fight? What does due process look like in a sophisticated society of human sized beavers? What makes Cheslik's dissection of such vast quandaries so interesting is how he turns the wildly chaotic into an architecture digest dream house of world building. Each floor more expansive and beautiful than the previous, but still relies on those integral weight bearing walls just the same. Creating a complex fantastical world that is all too easy (and enjoyable) to comprehend.
Ryland Brickson Cole Tews plays Jean Kayak, an applejack salesman in a seemingly permanent state of intoxication. That is until his applejack operation is licked by the flames of chaos and burnt to the ground. Lost in a desolate hellscape of snow, frigid winds, and an unforgiving natural order, Kayak must learn to survive or accept the same fate that befell his beloved beverage enterprise.
Shot in black and white, Hundreds of Beavers works as an homage to the slapstick comedies of yester-year, but with an innovative injection of sublime wit which I'll touch on in a bit. Tews invokes images of Charlie Chaplin or Buster Keaton with a dialogue-less performance as the intrepid hero with his performance focusing solely on facial expressions and sheer physicality. Stripping away the frills, if you can really call them frills, of dialogue and color create a hyper focus of the on screen images. There's no moments to miss, no time to look away and absorb some casual conversation. But also, why would you look away? Tews is outrageously magnetic as Kayak and his outlandish physical gimmicks are superb. From subtle, to not so subtle expressions or over the top maneuvering, Tews commands the entire screen with ease and purpose. His dedication to the film as a whole pushes this wild project towards the sky. Elevating Cheslik's vision while contributing his own style and flair much like Tews role in his prior collaboration with Cheslik (as writers) in Lake Michigan Monster. Watching him go toe to toe with the throngs of vicious beavers is endlessly entertaining, and completely worthwhile.
Wait. How exactly do these beavers fit in here? Remember my question about human sized beavers, and that little quip about an "innovative injection of sublime wit?" Well, as wonderful as Tews' performance is, along with Cheslik's direction, the real movie magic in Hundreds of Beavers is how Cheslik opts to portray these "beasts." Every animal, not just beavers, are represented in the film as people wearing what I would describe as, mascot costumes. Beavers, rabbits, raccoons and wolves have cartoonishly large heads while there's even a horse that is made up of two people in a horse costume! Not only is this unique and bold, but it plays perfectly into the self aware cartoonish nature of the film. At no point does Hundreds of Beavers ever stray out of its carefully curated lane of zany Looney Tunes logic. Making the mascot costumes not only hilarious, but so much more authentic than a quick gag.
As Kayak navigates the freezing landscape, we learn more and more about the world and its intricacies. Which "animals" line up where in the food chain, how you can catch certain "animals" thanks to some help from a very Santa-esque looking fur trapper (Wes Tank). He even employs a platoon of sled dogs (hilariously not huskies) who all love to play poker beside the fire at night. Quotidian details such as dogs playing poker are abundant in the film and highlight a beyond exceptional screenplay from Tews and Cheslik. Their world building is meticulous, yet as carefree as the silly events unfolding in front of our eyes. A great part of that is due to the depiction of wildlife, even knit fish have some humor too. But the guidance of Kayak's character across the snowscape for the first half of the film is a gorgeous balance between downright comedic entertainment, and gradual buildup. Step by step we learn more and more of the wacky physics of this world, strange transportive holes in the ground, icicles falling circuitously, and oh so many more lovely oddities. While this could be off putting in some instances, its the self aware nature of Hundreds of Beavers that keeps itself right on track. It knows, and Cheslik knows, what it's building towards and the comedic logic behind it escalates to a rapturous finale that is well worth the side cramps from laughter.
Hundreds of Beavers isn't a silent film by any means, but the lack of dialogue surely plays a role in recalling that era. The sound effects, and really technical department as a whole, accent each erratic bit of action and whimsy. Special effects achieved through some insanely clever compositing of shots mirrors the silly appearance of the animals but is in no way shape or form bad. Serving as an almost time capsule, the effects are what you'd expect from a 1920's film in some ways, further transporting you into a different zen of a movie watching experience. The harmony of production, from top to bottom in Hundreds of Beavers is outstanding filmmaking and all of the wild swings it takes are not only welcome with open arms, but should be revered. It is hilariously innovative, otherworldly entertaining, and all done on a budget of 150k. Amazing.
I could've sat through another two hours of Hundreds of Beavers and been just as in awe as the first bit. Cheslik's world building should be studied for years to come and seen as a benchmark in establishing background while being entertaining as hell. This film has absolutely everything working in its favor and I've been shouting from the rooftops to everyone I know to go and see this beautiful piece of filmmaking craftsmanship.
It's bold. It's a blast. It's so goddamn innovative with its dedication to practicality. It is certainly one of my favorite movies of the year and I'm drooling, thinking about what Cheslik and Tews can do with a bigger budget.
Maybe we could get thousands of beavers?
Froth
Surely there's a beaver themed beer out there that can be a literal companion piece to this film. But I opted for style over naming here. With how outrageously hilarious this film is, along with a ripping 108 minute runtime, the best option in my humble opinion is a strong dark beer. Let's accent the black and white contrast of the film with some extra darkness and have a delightfully warming roasted aroma/flavor to keep us safe in these dangerous snowy conditions. Good Society Brewing has just the beverage for such a scenario in Rye Hard With A Vengeance. Their 2024 Barrel Aged Imperial Rye Stout is a banger of a brew, and boasts a phenomenal pun for a name. I mean come on, some Bruce Willis Die Hard With a Vengeance love? Sold!
Swinging a big ole 10.2% ABV this beer will certainly help you laugh throughout the film, while also providing a comparison to Kayak's drunken applejack ways. This imperial stout also adds some welcome depth to the darkness of the film. Think of your highlights being toned down and your shadows growing, a good old photoshop trick you know? The rye adds a delicious spicy complexity that props up the simplicity of styling in Hundreds of Beavers. But keep in mind, nothing about the film is simple. It takes good hard work to put me on the ground laughing from a well timed Jeremiah Johnson callback. All in all, Rye Hard With a Vengeance is the boozy, warming friend you can have a deep belly laugh with while watching this lovely film about man conquering the beasts of the wild.
Literally, hundreds of beavers, with a couple rabbits and raccoons mixed in.
