Tree Saps: Why is Billy Murray feeding a seal in the woods?

Is this thing worth your time?

Honestly, maybe? If you like movies that feel like a fever dream you had after eating bad cheese, then sure. It’s definitely not for anyone who wants a coherent plot or, you know, logic. If you loved the weird, lo-fi energy of Patsy, you might find something here to latch onto. But if you hate feeling confused for 90 minutes straight, stay away.

Billy Murray plays a lumberjack. Or at least, he’s wearing a flannel shirt and holding an axe in a forest. I’m not sure if he ever actually cuts a tree down.

The main conflict involves him having to keep a seal happy by feeding it fish. The seal is just a seal. It doesn't talk. It just stares at Billy with these big, wet eyes until he tosses a sardine at it. It’s incredibly uncomfortable to watch.

There is this one scene where Billy tries to explain the logistics of the logging industry to the seal. He’s got this intense, serious look on his face. The seal just kind of flops over and makes a barking noise. It goes on for way too long. I think the editor just gave up halfway through.

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Tree Saps (1931) through its definitive frames.

The pacing feels like it was put together by someone who kept falling asleep at the controls. It jumps from scenes of intense forest silence to these sudden, loud outbursts of music that don't match the tone at all. It reminded me of the erratic rhythm in Cyclone Jones, but without the benefit of a clear mission.

The supporting cast? Well, they’re mostly just background noise. They look just as confused as I felt. One guy in the corner of the frame is clearly just waiting for his lunch break. You can see him checking his watch. It’s hilarious if you’re looking for it.

I can’t tell if the movie is trying to be a metaphor for the futility of manual labor or if the director just really, really likes seals. Maybe it’s both? Or maybe it’s nothing. That’s the beauty of it, I guess. It doesn't try to be profound. It just exists.

Random notes I scribbled down:

• The seal’s name is never mentioned. Not once.
• The fake trees in the background look like they’re made of painted cardboard. One of them visibly shakes when a bird lands on it.
• Billy Murray looks like he’s having a great time, or he’s completely lost. Maybe both.
• The ending is just a long shot of a lake. Just the lake. For like three minutes.

It’s a weird, lopsided little film. It doesn't have the polish of Blood and Sand, but it has a weird heart. If you want a movie that doesn't care if you like it or not, this is the one. 🦭🌲