Remind me never to go out with Meg Saricks.

Saricks, also featured in the films Nailbiter and Hell Week that were reviewed by The Independent Critic, is a hysterical delight in this nearly seven-minute short film written and directed by Meagan Flynn (Adrift). Saricks plays Anna, a young woman in her 20's who finds herself thrown for a loop when the beautiful hunk of a man she's accompanied to his apartment gets in the middle of doing "the deed" and turns out to be, well, a dud.

Over the next seven minutes, Anna's mind races over what could possibly be the proper etiquette for such a situation. Should she take the compassionate and caring approach? Maybe she should just be a royal bitch? Maybe she should just leave? What kind of a man in his 20's doesn't at least put pillowcases on his pillows?

Really?

Heck, I'm a paraplegic and even I do that.

Filmed in a way that turns the film into an homage to John Hughes with glimpses of Ferris Bueller and just plain irreverent to its core, The Etiquette of Impotence is a laugh out loud comedy short ... well, unless you've actually experienced such a thing for yourself in which case you'll likely find yourself running off to the bathroom in shame and pulling out the latest copy of Ladies' Home Journal or O or, I don't know, maybe even Cosmo.

Saricks, who is on screen for the film's entire running time in what essentially amounts to a comedy monologue, is an absolute hoot delivering Flynn's spot on perfect script. Kudos must be given as well to Jennifer Plas for a creative and funny production design that perfectly complements Flynn's script. D.P. David Berry's camera work keeps its focus on Saricks' face, an entertaining array of uncomfortable and awkward facial expressions. Julian Bickford's original score will certainly bring to mind memories of Ferris Bueller and will also put a smile on your face.

The Etiquette of Impotence should have no problem finding a home on the indie and comedy film festival circuit. It's just too bad I didn't see it in time to recommend it for Indy's upcoming Wet Your Pants Comedy Film Festival. But, on the other hand, if Saricks can't handle impotence she'd probably freak out with a little leakage.

© Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic