Director Matthew Lillard hits this one it of the park, with his directorial debut “Fat Kid Rules The World.”  The film centers around Troy Billings, played by the subtly magnifying (Jacob Wysocki), as a heavy-set teenager who dreams of killing himself during a very low period in his life. As a half-brained attempt to step out in front of a bus goes afoot, fate steps in and brings with her one  homeless, talented and unkempt Marcus (Matt O’ Leary) instead. After their less than ideal meeting, Marcus becomes an inexplicable big part of Troy’s life, and an intregal part, as he informs Troy that the two of them will form a punk rock band.  The film is more of a drama with funny scenes in it, than just a comedy. There are moments that really make you sit back and watch the dynamics of this relationship while observing the human experience.

Troy’s father, Mr. Billings is played by the understated, yet equally brilliant Bill Campbell. He’s easily my favorite character in the film because I’ve never seen a dad like him portrayed in a film, ever. Usually when dad’s are shown in movies, they’re usually not there to protect, or they are and they just don’t pay attention. In the film this widowed father loves both of his sons, and wants to do what’s best for them, but simply doesn’t know what to do at times. It’s a realistic portrayal, but so is a large majority of the film. There are scenes where Mr. Billings shines, whether it be when he’s laying the ground rules for Marcus’ punk rock friends who come to pick up Troy (while Mr. Billings looks at their drivers license and hilariously says “I now know where you two boys live” and deadpan gives back the ID’s. Or when Troy tells his dad, how much a “joke” he was at playing the drums, and his dad buys him a drum set the next day, and lovingly says “you’re not a joke.” Scenes like those made the heart of the picture pop on the screen.

I was excited to catch the film after I saw the rave reviews from their SXSW premiere where they took home the coveted Audience Award for Best Narrative Spotlight Feature. Most reviews all came to the same conclusion, that you’ll feel triumphant just like Troy at the conclusion of the film. That’s exactly how I felt, I didn’t know what the “feel good movie of the year” truly meant until I saw Fat Kid Rules The World. It’s the definition of that term, personified.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-SQ0pgjXm0