The Next Big Hit is now available to watch wherever movies are streamed on legitimate platforms.
I never knew what a “tiger risk” was by definition, although the chances are that I’ve had an idea what it is for a while now – at least not by definition. The term albeit encompasses one of multiple factors in the long-awaited and oft-delayed release of The Next Big Hit, a new indie pseudo-musical martial arts romantic comedy directed by Pat Battistini and shepherded in large part by actor, action actor and producer Zak Lee Guarnaccia who actually sent me a press release this week to help promote it.
Here’s the thing: I didn’t know what The Next Big Hit was off the bat, and after initially agreeing to just publish some free PR for Guarnaccia, I took the liberty to instead actually do the work of watching it and trying to review it before the weekend. I kept my expectations reasonably low here, which did help me enjoy the movie a little more than I initially expected, and reviewing it is the least I can do for someone who spent close to three decades sitting with this concept before finally getting it off the ground and enduring all the sorts of trials and tribulations of indie production, along with a global pandemic that damn near crippled industries the world over.
The story itself is a palpable delight, following Dino (Guarnaccia), a stuntman freshly fired from his job and who finds himself teaming up with his cousin and would-be producer, Shawn (Perry Anzilotti) who just so happens to be in arrears with an incorrigible loanshark named Falconi (Christopher Wolfe) who has designs of his own to get his own dubious script produced sooner rather than later. With $90,000 and their lives on the line, the two instead set out to make a martial arts musical, a move that also unexpectedly reunites Dino with former flam, Sarah (Cerina Vincent), whose uncle owns the theater venue they’re performing their show in.
As Dino and Sarah struggle to work past their difference and reconcile with one another, it’s up to Shawn to keep Falconi at bay. However, with just two months to make a profit before Falconi blows his last fuse, and Falconi’s goons working to sabotage the show’s prospects, will a janky musical stage show with martial arts set pieces and colorful characters be the hit that keeps them in the black? Or, will it be curtains for Dino and Shawn?
Those are the stakes that The Next Big Hit sets up in this painstaking and humble indie endeavor from Battistini and a cast led by Anzilotti and Guarnaccia, for a story that was as clearly difficult to execute as most indie productions are. To this end, the film’s flaws will be made obvious to the naked eye whether it’s some of the acting and setpieces or even the action, while the cast does well in keeping some the performances enthused and entertaining, including but not limited to co-stars Marlyn Mason, and actors David Nieker, Jeff Sumner, Joseph Fiorello, Freddy John James, and Massi Furlan (Bad Boys For Life) to name a few.
Some story beats felt oddly placed and under-developed at times, so if you find yourself caring a little less about one aspect of the film by end-credit roll, then you’re not alone. Additionally, the musical sequences in the film were largely amusing and fun to watch as well with actresses Mason and Vincent lending their beautiful vocals, as well as Tommy Dearth who follows the film’s action-packed intro with a cheeky number about one of the all-too-familiar notorious film industry phrases you’ll hear.
Guarnaccia gets to showcase himself amply throughout the film against some of the action actors in the cast, and featuring action and stunt sequences also by Lee and by action director Daniel Locicero. The big finale sets up a blend of stagecraft with actual peril a few of our characters face and finishes things off nicely.
You don’t have to keep the bar high for a film like The Next Big Hit if you understand indie productions. Think Bowfinger meets Indie Guys but with more camp than preferred. It’s not for everyone, but it’s certainly different and has its plusses if you’ve got the open mind for it or you’re curious to see something different. If you’re not entirely in love with it by the final shot, there’s at least a fair chance you’ll come away from it smiling.
