Butler's Cinema Scene

Tiffany Haddish, Ike Barinholtz

“THE OATH”  My rating: B 

93 minutes | MPAA rating: R

One of the America’s most hellish rituals — the family Thanksgiving gathering — takes on even more demonic dimensions in Ike Barinholtz’s “The Oath.”

Barinholtz, a familiar face whose name you never knew, does triple duty here, serving as writer, director and star,  combining the usual holiday dysfunction with torn-from-the-headlines politics. The resulting black comedy is like finding a hand grenade in the roasted turkey.

As the film begins we learn that the U.S. president has instituted something called “the Patriot’s Oath,” a sort of loyalty waiver citizens are expected to sign.

“Nothing happens if you don’t sign,” assures a White House spokeswoman. “But there are perks if you do.”

The news infuriates suburban couple Chris (Barinholtz) and Kai (Tiffany Haddish).  Theirs is a mixed-race marriage, and as one might deduce, they are fiercely liberal.

Especially Chris, who is one of those apoplectic lefties who invariably takes a confrontational and self-righteous approach to political matters.

The citizenry has a year to decide  if they will sign; the new law goes into effect on (appropriately) Black Friday, a day after Thanksgiving.

Chris and Kai’s family gathering is like a cross section of the voting public.  Chris’ brother (Jon Barinholtz, the writer/director’s brother) is a sort of perennial frat dude whose new girlfriend (Meredith Hagnar) has a world view cloned from Ann Coulter.

Chris’ sister (Carrie Brownstein) is a fellow liberal, as is her hubby (Jay Duplass), who has come down with an intestinal monster and spends most of the holiday curled in a ball.

Mom (Nora Dunn) tries to referee the mounting sibling turmoil (“Hey, no politics!”);  Dad (Chris Ellis) keeps as low a profile as possible.

Prays Chris: “God, who I don’t believe in, please give me strength to get through the next three days.”

(Left to right) Meredith Hagner, John Barinholtz, Carrie Brownstein, Ike Barinholtz, Tiffany Haddish, Nora Dunn, Chris Ellis

The bad blood swirling around the dinner table is nothing, though, compared to what happens on Black Friday.  Two men show up at the front door; they’re from the newly-formed Citizens Protection Unit, a federal agency created to implement the new oath. Apparently someone has reported Chris for trying to dissuade his friends from signing.

Billy Magnussen, John Cho

The one in charge (John Cho) seems semi-reasonable…perhaps even a bit embarrassed at having to invade the family’s celebration.  But his sidekick (Billy Magnussen) is pure brown-shirt material, a sneering bully with a hard-on for liberal asshats (Chris certainly qualifies).

Things get out of hand. A gun goes off. There is much panicked screaming. Violence.

Director Barinholtz nicely calibrates the ever-mounting tension and craziness, peppering the proceedings with disturbing TV news reports of riots and the mysterious disappearances of critics of the new oath (actor Seth Rogen is among the missing).

It’s a safe bet that filmmaker Barinholtz swings left, but “The Oath” spares neither side of the political chasm.  Actually, it would make perfect viewing for this year’s Thanksgiving conclave. It’ll leave everybody wincing.

| Robert W. Butler