David Wain's 1991 directorial debut short film, Aisle Six, is the absurd mockumentary about Brad, a high school student who wishes to become an electrical engineer - despite the pressures to become a plumber as that is what is considered normal by his friends and family. Because Brad is such as skillful plumber, he is considered the most popular boy in school. The school seems to be located in a sort of alternate universe where plumbing is considered cool, and playing football is for losers.
Despite the fact that it was a student film and the obvious lack of budget, Wain was able to assemble a stellar cast full of outrageous and talented individuals. Most particularly the scenes in which the students would talk to the cameras about their experiences with Brad were often the most enjoyable to watch. Considering the age and probable inexperience that could be attributed with that, the cast performances were absolutely hysterical, truly making the audience believe in their beliefs in plumbing.
The use of music throughout the film is used brilliantly to capture the various moods of the scenes involved. The beginning of the film features a simple guitar riff, perfectly capturing the essence of a 90s high school. For comedic purposes, the song "How Deep Is Your Love" is used as Brad and his girlfriend experience a high from their rebellious transition into electrical involvement. When Brad is explaining to his parents and the parents of his girlfriend that he wants to go to MIT, since he has no real interest in plumbing and wants to pursue electrical engineering - the music is used appropriately to convey the sense of immense pressure that is building on Brad, his feelings of isolation and exclusion from his family and friends.
David Wain was clearly ahead of his time with this bold and original debut film. The film was screened at Sundance and won countless awards at festivals despite the fact that it was made by a student.
Despite the fact that it was a student film and the obvious lack of budget, Wain was able to assemble a stellar cast full of outrageous and talented individuals. Most particularly the scenes in which the students would talk to the cameras about their experiences with Brad were often the most enjoyable to watch. Considering the age and probable inexperience that could be attributed with that, the cast performances were absolutely hysterical, truly making the audience believe in their beliefs in plumbing.
The use of music throughout the film is used brilliantly to capture the various moods of the scenes involved. The beginning of the film features a simple guitar riff, perfectly capturing the essence of a 90s high school. For comedic purposes, the song "How Deep Is Your Love" is used as Brad and his girlfriend experience a high from their rebellious transition into electrical involvement. When Brad is explaining to his parents and the parents of his girlfriend that he wants to go to MIT, since he has no real interest in plumbing and wants to pursue electrical engineering - the music is used appropriately to convey the sense of immense pressure that is building on Brad, his feelings of isolation and exclusion from his family and friends.
David Wain was clearly ahead of his time with this bold and original debut film. The film was screened at Sundance and won countless awards at festivals despite the fact that it was made by a student.
