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3.5/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 3.5/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Scotch Taffy remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Alright, let’s be real. Scotch Taffy isn't a blockbuster. It’s not even really a 'movie' in the traditional sense. This is a small, quiet little film, maybe best enjoyed on a rainy afternoon when you’re just looking for something *different*. If you're into intimate, almost theatrical monologues and folk-ish tunes, you might find something here. But if you’re hoping for a plot with twists or big character arcs, you’ll be utterly bored.
The whole thing kicks off with Scott Sanders, played by Edmund Joseph, just sitting there, playing a gentle tune. It feels very unpretentious. Then he starts talking, and this is where the film really settles into its groove, or lack thereof.
Sanders explains he’s only had one customer in the last three years. Just one! 🤯 That detail really sticks with you. It paints a picture of a quiet, perhaps lonely existence, selling whatever it is he sells (the film doesn't really specify, which is kinda neat).
This single customer was a Scottish fella. And this Scottish fella apparently had *a lot* of stories. You can almost feel the weight of these unspoken tales, filling up the space. The film doesn't show them, of course, just lets Sanders hint at them.
And then there are the 'son bits.' Now, I gotta ask, what exactly *are* 'son bits'? Is it stories about his son? Little pieces of advice? Odd family heirlooms? The film never tells you. And honestly, I kinda love that it doesn't. It just drops this wonderfully vague, slightly baffling phrase and moves on. It’s the kind of thing that makes you pause and scratch your head for a moment after it’s over.
The entire experience is super brief. It's bookended by Sanders playing his guitar, bringing it full circle. You know, like a little musical embrace.
It’s not trying to be profound or visually stunning. The camera just sits there, watching Sanders. The lighting isn't fancy. It feels very much like someone just set up a camera in a room and said, 'Okay, just tell your story.' And that's exactly what you get.
I wouldn't recommend it for a group movie night, for sure. But for a solitary watch, when you’re in the mood for something understated and a little peculiar, it's got a certain charm. It’s a glimpse, a fragment. Not a grand statement. And sometimes, that's exactly what you need. 😌
IMDb 6.4
1919
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