Follow the Bitch

Running time: N/A

Confused about the politics of men versus women in the 90's? Help is on the way! This latest update of the battle of the sexes is focused on that time-honored staple of American male mythology, the weekly poker game. Perhaps it is the last male bastion in a society which has become unisex and sensitive (a la Alan Alda) to the political correctness imperative. Bill is the weekly host for the game, which is a late-night cut-throat affair. The group includes an assortment of young unmarried men in their twenties with the usual hang-ups about women and cynical opinions of each other, clearly articulated by Bill, their tribal leader. One night, one of the regulars unexpectedly brings his fellow worker, Liz, to the game, shattering its all-male tradition. It soon becomes apparent that Liz can not only play killer poker but can also trade expletives with Bill easily and with great gusto. The interplay and tensions between the regulars and their guest break down cherished male illusions and change the nature of the game forever. Julian Stone, whose short film Waiting for Max screened at Cinequest in 1992, provides us with a very funny treatment of male-female cliches and what happens when they are put to the test. --Ed Soohoo