Cast: Mark Mugsy Charlton, Matt Charlton, Mike Charlton
Director: Jose Asuncion
Country: USA
Genre: Documentary
Editor’s Notes: The following review is part of our coverage for the San Antonio Film Festival. For more information on the festival visit http://safilm.com/ and follow the San Antonio Film Festival Review on Twitter at @safilm.
Mike Charlton (also known as Sick Mick) is a man with a dream; to break the motor land speed record. In Sick Mick and the Boys, it’s shown that he’s no ordinary man, and the journey to get to that dream was anything but ordinary. It’s the feature-length documentary debut of Jose Asunicon, and man it sure doesn’t show.
Mike Charlton (also known as Sick Mick) is a man with a dream; to break the motor land speed record. In Sick Mick and the Boys, it’s shown that he’s no ordinary man, and the journey to get to that dream was anything but ordinary.
Asunicon (as he stated in the Q&A afterwards) was originally documenting another story when he was introduced to “the boys”. I’m not sure what the previous story was that he left it for Sick Mick, and it’s impartial to say that it was the right decision. He had all the rights tools in place to tell a great story. The first one that sticks right out is the fact that we’re dealing some down-to-earth folk. At least, that’s what I would say. Many of them refer to themselves as “hillbillies” a couple of times during the flick. To other people, and especially to the other teams that are trying to break the record, they might seem like that. I just see some charismatic guys trying to accomplish the dream, doing it however they can and with whatever they have. The just happen to smoke, drink and curse a lot.
Led by Sick Mick himself, we’re introduced to these good old boys early and that was an ideal move by Asunicon. Nothing brings people together like humor, and they brought it in spades. Some parts were so funny and the idea that they were capable of some things so outrageous, one can’t help but just burst out in laughter. They’re the perfect catalyst to set up the events that follow.
Asunicon also works some subtle magic himself. There’s not any narration, no flashy graphics, nothing to take away from the already solid story.
The biggest reason why Sick Mick and the Boys works is the reveal of what it really is. Behind the language, the torment, the laughs and the failures, this is a redemption story at its core. The story was there for him, but Asunicon transitions between the material on the surface, and the issues underneath, with complete ease. The inner workings of a filmmaker have to be admired when they can present their characters with such layers, or in this case, real-life characters. These guys have been through tough times, some tougher than others, but they can still smile about what they’re trying to do. It’s infectious, and their plight brings you in. Asunicon also works some subtle magic himself. There’s not any narration, no flashy graphics, nothing to take away from the already solid story. He displays a keen, likeable ability to keep it simple. Tell the story, and let the actions speak for themselves.
Sick Mick and the Boys might not be a revolutionary documentary, but it’s memorable and it’s more than capable to strike a chord with people that know what it’s like to try and try and try, over and over and over again. It’s also a fine of example of how to handle a story that doesn’t need extra fluff. It’s certainly one of the finest documentaries I’ve seen in a while.
[notification type=”star”]79/100 ~ GOOD. The biggest reason why Sick Mick and the Boys works is the reveal of what it really is. Behind the language, the torment, the laughs and the failures, this is a redemption story.[/notification]
