I went into this movie expecting a self-indulgent autobiographical film about being raised by Andy Dick. Although "Wing Dad" is clearly a roman à clef, centering on the relationship between an alcoholic and his high-strung son, it is funny, warm, and well written. The cinematography and soundtrack are excellent, contributing to a firm sense of place for this film which was shot entirely in Big Bear. The superb cast is led by Jay Johnston and Greg Furman, who have flawless chemistry as father and son. Furman in particular has leading man potential.
My only real gripes are that the threads of Marlow's story are never tied up, and Sam's germaphobia seems to disappear without explanation halfway through the film. "Wing Dad" only runs 75 minutes, so these plot points could have easily been resolved. However, these minor flaws don't detract from the central conceit of the film, which is that loving an addict is complex, frustrating, and sometimes rewarding. The relationship between Sam and his father Allen is shockingly accurate to anyone who has had this experience. It is impossible to reconcile the warm, affectionate person you know and love with the monster they turn into.
This sophomore effort from a young filmmaker could have done well on the indie circuit, but unfortunately it was released to little fanfare. It will go down in the annals of film history for similar reasons to the Rodney Alcala episode of "The Dating Game."
