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5.6/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Benny, from Panama remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Honestly, you either like watching people run around screaming in 1930s formal wear or you don't. If you’re looking for a romantic evening, look elsewhere. If you want to see a wedding night descend into total, unhinged suburban chaos because of a giant bug and some very drunk sailors, then sure, pull up a chair. It’s not exactly Love and Lunch in terms of charm, but it’s definitely something.
The whole thing kicks off with a police chase. Because why wouldn’t your wedding guests follow you home in a fleet of cars? It’s the kind of logic that only makes sense in old slapstick, where boundaries are just suggestions.
I can’t stop thinking about that mosquito. It’s obviously a prop, maybe tied to a string or something, but it’s huge. It spends half the movie acting like it’s the lead character. There’s this one shot where it’s just buzzing near Eddie’s face and I swear the actors are trying not to crack up. It’s absurd.
The pacing is all over the place. It moves from a polite wedding to a full-blown riot in about three minutes. It’s exhausting, really. Reminds me a bit of the frantic energy in 23 -- Skidoo, just with more cake and less sense.
Is it a masterpiece? No. Is it weirdly memorable because of that mosquito? Absolutely. I’ve seen plenty of comedies, and I’ve seen plenty of bugs, but this specific brand of low-budget mayhem is hard to shake. It’s like watching a train wreck where the train is made of party favors and bad decisions. 🦟
Don't expect a deep ending. Things just kind of stop happening once everyone is sufficiently annoyed or exhausted. Sometimes that’s enough. Just don't go in expecting anything resembling a sane narrative.