In these trying times when commercials are overusing phrases such as “during these difficult times” and “now more than ever,” one phrase we haven’t heard in a while is “coming to a theater near you.” Movie theaters are empty and most new releases are being postponed until they reopen. A few films, however, are being released on-demand as “still in-theater rentals.” It was while scrolling through this unappetizing selection that I stumbled upon Extra Ordinary, a peculiar indie Irish film of paranormal proportions.
Think the VHS-aesthetics of Napoleon Dynamite, Ghostbusters, and late 20th century satanic panic and you’ve got a close idea of what Extra Ordinary has to offer. Maeve Higgins plays Rose, a driving instructor in a small Irish town. She is sweet and lives alone and can, as she puts it, “chat with ghosts.” She may have accidentally committed “dadslaughter” through a magical mishap in her youth as well, and has since hung up her ghost-hunting hat. Barry Ward plays Martin Martin (yes, you read that right), a single father and widower who is being haunted by his dead wife. She tells him what shirt to wear and reminds him to do his taxes; she’s a ghostly burden, but a comforting one Martin is unwilling to give up. When Martin’s daughter becomes the subject of a virgin sacrifice to the devil, perpetrated by a washed-up, one-hit wonder named Christian Winter (Will Forte), he enlists Rose’s aid, and Bob’s your uncle.
Originally screened at last year’s SXSW, Extra Ordinary was beginning to see some theatrical release in the states when the coronavirus hit. Now available for rental ($4.99) on Amazon Prime as part of its 2020 film festival collection, the film is worth the price for its subdued charm and sometimes striking cinematography.
The irreverent tone suits the idea of these common people in situations that are anything but, but a few failed landings hinder the idea’s potential. Will Forte’s final line is a misplaced callback to one of the film’s least funny running jokes, and the bit with the ectoplasm turns into to a dead horse. The budding romance (it’s no spoiler) between Rose and Martin too often is interrupted by a comedic beat, as is the demonic horror (which itself, is frequently used to comedic effect). But were the characters given a chance to breathe, the flowers of romance a chance to bloom and the grip of terror a chance to tighten, the punch of the jokes could’ve been a knockout. As it stands, Extra Ordinary is merely an enjoyable oddity.
