Crimes Against Humanity

Crimes Against Humanity, a 2014 dark comedy directed by Jerzy Rose, is a fascinating blend of absurdity, irony, and trenchant critique of academia and human behavior. The movie stars Mike Lopez, Lyra Hill, and Ted Tremper in the leading roles, each delivering a distinct and dedicated performance which adds multiple layers to the film's unusual narrative.

Crimes Against Humanity revolves around Lewis (Mike Lopez), an eccentric university administrator burdened with anxiety, cynical humor, and a regrettable lack of professional ambition. Despite his seemingly prestigious position, Lewis spends most of his time involved in curious endeavors that have little to do with actual education or academia. His various responsibilities range from investigating bizarre student complaints to navigating an assortment of unusual workplace dynamics, all presented in a humorously deadpan style that highlights the absurdity of institutional operations.

Lyra Hill plays Lewis' girlfriend, Pearl, a graduate student perpetually entwined in her dissertation work. The film accurately depicts the struggles of a typical research scholar, entrenched deep within her thesis project, effectively parodied in a comically exaggerated manner. Pearl's obsession with her work contrasts with Lewis's professional indifference, creating a dynamic relationship that provides a playful commentary on modern-day work ethics and personal ambition, adding more depth to the plot.

Ted Tremper plays the Velveteen Dream, a mysterious, dreamlike figure who appears throughout the film, taking the narrative on an unexpected turn and adding a surrealistic tone to it. His sporadic appearances in various points of the narrative play an essential role in defining the progression and ultimate climax of the story.

Crimes Against Humanity uses its vivid, often caricatured, characters to lampoon the insularity of academia and the absurd nature of admin culture. With a keen eye for both human eccentricities and the comedic value inherent in mundane bureaucratic processes, the film presents a near surrealistic perspective of everyday life within a modern university setting. Despite a somewhat unconventional narrative structure, Crimes Against Humanity is steadfast in establishing a unique comedic voice throughout its runtime, ensuring each scene is filled with layers of irony, satire and playful absurdity.

What's noteworthy about the film is its approach to comedy. There's a deliberately sluggish pacing and a sense of playfulness, almost like a staged comedy sketch stretched out into a feature-length movie. The humor here is distinct, it's slow-burn and nuanced; at one moment it's wryly satirizing university politics, and in the next, it's taking a magical realist turn into the absurd.

Jerzy Rose's lively direction and the film's clever writing craft a world that is immediately engaging, despite its inherent absurdity. Each scene feels like a strange and wonderful vignette, full of idiosyncratic characters and situations that straddle the line between reality and peculiar fantasy. Frequent exclamations of intellectual ideas envelop the dialogue, which paired with the monotonous backdrop, concocts a rich, absurd comedy.

Crimes Against Humanity is loaded with sharp dialogue, eccentric characters, and a unique brand of outlandish humor that is a testament to Rose's skill as a filmmaker. The film can be a delight for the viewers who enjoys a comedy that's a departure from the mainstream and are willing to delve into a world that refracts our own through a distinctive prism of wit, charm and absurdity.

All in all, while Crimes Against Humanity may not cater to standard cinematic expectations, it manages to create an enthralling, engaging narrative enriched with genuine laughs, unique characters, unusual plot twists and an overall enjoyable viewing experience, making it a film worthwhile for an adventurous audience.