Don Peyote

Don Peyote is a 2014 independent film directed by Michael Canzoniero and Dan Fogler, who also plays the lead character, Dan. The film narrates the story of an unemployed graphic novelist whose life takes a turn for the worse as he prepares for his wedding with his fiancé, Laura, played by Kelly Hutchinson.

Dan is a passionate dreamer who has trouble sticking to one project for too long. His lack of focus results in his unemployed status, making him a burden to Laura, who believes he is not contributing enough to their relationship. Dan’s stress and anxiety build up as his impending wedding approaches, resulting in numerous vivid dreams and hallucinations that only exacerbate his situation.

As the wedding day draws near, Dan becomes increasingly paranoid and delusional, prompting him to embark on a spiritual journey fueled by a variety of psychoactive substances. His journey takes him to various places in his mind, including a group therapy session, an encounter with a wandering shaman, and a political conspiracy theory.

During his trip, Dan meets a cast of eccentric characters, including a conspiracy theorist, played by Josh Duhamel, and a sexy hobo, played by Anne Hathaway. He also encounters his ex-girlfriend, played by familiar face Annabella Sciorra, who is only too happy to dredge up the past and complicate his current situation.

Throughout the film, Dan’s hallucinations become increasingly elaborate and intense, leading him to question his own sanity. Meanwhile, Laura becomes increasingly frustrated with Dan’s erratic behavior and fears that he may not be ready for marriage.

Don Peyote takes on complex themes of love, addiction, obsession, and spirituality in a quirky way. The film is Dan Fogler's directorial debut and serves as a gritty, surrealistic exploration of his own experiences with anxiety and existential crises.

Additionally, the film features many guest appearances from well-known actors such as Jay Baruchel, Yang Miller, Topher Grace, and even former movie star Josh Groban.

The overall style of the film is indie, with its low-budget special effects and reminiscent of a 1960s counterculture psychedelic trip, blending many themes together in a whimsical and often nonsensical way. Sometimes the movie feels somewhat clumsy, with disjointed moments and scenes that are too purposefully strange. Despite these drawbacks, however, it is a bold, surrealistic work of art that offers a unique experience even for the seasoned cinephile.

Overall, Don Peyote is a surreal and intriguing trip, defying expectations and relishing in its own offbeat quirks. Dan Fogler's passion for the project is evident, and he delivers a powerful performance in the lead role. The film is darkly comedic, thematically rich, and well-crafted, even if it suffers from some pacing issues and nonsensical detours. It deserves far more attention than it got and is a great reminder of how powerful low budget films can be.