The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter (2018) Netflix

Tagline: No Animals Were Harmed Making this Movie. Except for a Squirrel, But That Was His Fault.

Ok there's not one, I made that up. You're killing me here Netflix! 

Premise: Netflix “original” comedy. An estranged father takes his twelve year old son hunting with him, all the while trying to film a completely engineered father- and- son episode of his cable TV show. His cameraman and friend accompanies them, as tensions build between the three.

Delivery: “Scotch? I like my whisky American. Just like my cheese.”

This gentle comedy from the The Foot Fist Way/ Eastbound and Down team, writer/ director Jody Hill and writer/ actor Danny McBride was never going to break any moulds, but there is plenty to like about The Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter. Eastbound and Down is very funny and there are moments of the comedic filth that show serves up in this film, mostly via Danny McBride who plays Don. Don is the long suffering friend of Josh Brolin's Buck, an egotistical Cable TV (public access- free to air) hunting show host. 

I have to confess I wasn't keen on the look of Legacy of a Whitetail Deer Hunter, but recently, somewhat shamefully, I have become a fan of a show available on Netflix called Meat Eater. It's a hunting show, where you follow the presenter (and occasional guests) as they track and attempt to kill a certain, delicious animal- before cutting it up and eating it. It has given me a respect for hunters who kill to eat. But not trophy hunters, or anyone who kills big game just to get their dick hard. I couldn't work out whether they are mocking hunters or not in this film at first. I decided they aren't, or are at least ambiguous towards it, it is simply the construct within which the drama occurs. So don't be put off by that element.

The three main leads are all great, Brolin as the conflicted, jealous ex- husband, but loving father who just goes about things the wrong way. McBride as his put upon friend, right hand man and inappropriate adult. Montana Jordan is convincing as the annoying twelve year old son who needs a bit of discipline and to get off his fucking phone once in a while. There are some good lines, nice little adventure set ups and a genuinely believable family dynamic, which all make for an amusing, unchallenging watch.

Bedsit it? I sat happily enough through it, but I was stuck in a bay in King's College Hospital Emergency Department for almost eight days. You could have played me Michael Owen commentary on a loop, provided it was louder than the incessant announcements, beeps and sick people the other side of my curtain. Bubblegum for the brain. 6/10.