Gummo 1997
Directed by
Harmony Korine
Made by
Fine Line Features
Plot Summary
A young boy named Solomon serves as the narrator, recounting the harrowing events of a tornado that struck the modest town of Xenia, Ohio. Among the unusual sights during this time is a mute boy, referred to as Bunny Boy, who can be seen wearing only his pink bunny ears, shorts, and tennis shoes while standing on an overpass drenched in rain.
Among Solomon’s acquaintances is Tummler, played by Jacob Sewell, who disturbingly drowns a cat in a barrel of water. The storyline shifts to Tummler in a wrecked car, sharing intimate moments with a girl, only for him to discover a lump on her breast, which distracts him from his romantic advances. Later, Solomon describes Tummler as a boy marked by a “marvelous persona,” yet many label him as “downright evil.”
When Tummler aims an air rifle at a cat, Solomon intervenes, insisting that it’s a housecat deserving of protection. As they depart, the camera follows the cat back home to its owners—a trio of sisters, including two teenagers and a younger girl. Moments later, the narrative returns to Tummler and Solomon, who embark on a hunt for feral cats, delivering their captures to a local grocer with the intent of selling them to a restaurant. The grocer reveals they are not alone in their cat-killing endeavors, prompting Tummler and Solomon to purchase glue for huffing, seeking a temporary escape.
The film then cuts to a chaotic scene where two foul-mouthed boys, dressed as cowboys, rampage through a junkyard, eventually encountering Bunny Boy. In a cruel twist of play, they “shoot” him dead with cap guns, rummaging through his pockets and discarding one of his shoes before losing interest and leaving him on the ground.
Solomon and Tummler soon discover a local boy named Jarrod Wiggley, who is sabotaging their cat population by poisoning them instead of shooting them. In an attempt to confront him, they don masks and arm themselves before breaking into Jarrod’s house, where they stumble upon unsettling photos of him in drag and the sight of his elderly, comatose grandmother. Tummler, expressing disdain for the situation, pushes the boundaries of morality by turning off her life support.
The film is interspersed with various striking vignettes: an intoxicated man making advances at a gay dwarf, a despicable man exploiting his disabled sister, and unsettling encounters with an elderly child molester. We also see moments of social interaction as twin boys sell candy door-to-door, a conversation with a tennis player coping with ADHD, and a derisive portrayal of young children at a drunken party.
As the story unfolds to the backdrop of “Crying” by Roy Orbison, a song Tummler associates with his transsexual sibling, the film nears its climax. In a dismal display, Solomon and Tummler take turns shooting the sisters’ cat with their air rifles, juxtaposed with chaotic scenes of Bunny Boy sharing kisses with teenage girls in a swimming pool. The absurdity crescendos when Bunny Boy, holding a dead cat, runs towards the camera through a field, breaking the fourth wall with his presentation.
The narrative concludes on a poignant note, featuring a girl who had earlier shaved her eyebrows. She is seen singing “Jesus Loves Me” next to her mother (or sister), as the film fades to black with the instruction for her to “dial it down” and prepare for bed.
Timeline
Introduction of Solomon
A young boy named Solomon gives voice to the haunting tale of a tornado that strikes the small town of Xenia, Ohio. His perspective frames the ensuing chaos and highlights the unusual occurrences that follow in the wake of the storm.
The Appearance of Bunny Boy
Amidst the turmoil, a peculiar figure known as Bunny Boy emerges, described as a mute boy adorned with pink bunny ears and drenched in rain. His presence is surreal, standing on an overpass as the storm rages on around him.
Tummler's Disturbing Act
Solomon recounts an unsettling event where his acquaintance Tummler drowns a cat in a barrel of water. This disturbing display of cruelty marks the beginning of Tummler's complex character, which is both charming and sinister.
Tummler in the Wrecked Car
The narrative transitions to a wrecked car where Tummler enjoys intimate moments with a girl. Their budding romance takes a turn when Tummler discovers a lump on her breast, abruptly redirecting his attention.
Intervention for the Housecat
Tummler aims an air rifle at a housecat, prompting Solomon to intervene and advocate for the animal's protection. This encounter illustrates Solomon's moral compass amidst Tummler's reckless behavior as they eventually follow the cat home.
Hunting for Feral Cats
Tummler and Solomon embark on a hunt for feral cats, intending to sell their captures to a local grocer. The grocer, however, reveals they are not the only ones resorting to cat killings, hinting at a shared dark underbelly in the community.
Glue and Escapism
In search of temporary relief from their grim reality, Tummler and Solomon purchase glue for huffing. Their actions symbolize a deeper desire to escape the pressures of their environment and the moral dilemmas they face.
The Cowboy Rampage
Chaos erupts as two foul-mouthed boys dressed as cowboys rampage through a junkyard. Their cruelty peaks when they encounter Bunny Boy, whom they mockingly 'shoot' with cap guns, highlighting the brutality of youth.
Confrontation with Jarrod Wiggley
Solomon and Tummler confront a local boy, Jarrod Wiggley, who has taken to poisoning the cat population. Their decision to don masks and arm themselves for a break-in emphasizes their desperation and misguided sense of justice.
Turning Off Life Support
Inside Jarrod’s house, they discover unsettling photographs and the sight of his comatose grandmother. Tummler's moral line blurs further when he callously turns off her life support, showcasing his descent into darkness.
Disturbing Vignettes
The film intersperses disturbing vignettes featuring an intoxicated man, a heartless individual exploiting his disabled sister, and alarming interactions with an elderly child molester. These snapshots reveal a community rife with dysfunction.
Shooting the Sisters' Cat
In a disheartening display of carelessness, Solomon and Tummler take turns shooting at the sisters' cat with their air rifles. This act of senseless violence resonates deeply against the backdrop of tumultuous events in their lives.
Bunny Boy's Surreal Climax
The absurdity ramps up as Bunny Boy shares affectionate moments with teenage girls at a swimming pool. The surreal imagery culminates in him running towards the camera with a dead cat, breaking the fourth wall in a jarring display.
Final Scene with a Girl
The film closes on a poignant scene featuring a girl who had earlier shaved her eyebrows. She sings 'Jesus Loves Me' next to her mother, a tender moment that contrasts starkly with the preceding chaos before the screen fades to black.
Characters
Solomon
Solomon serves as the narrator of the film, offering insights into the bizarre and sometimes harrowing events that unfold. His observations reveal a deep introspection and sensitivity amidst the chaos surrounding him. Despite his innocent demeanor, he grapples with the harsh realities of his environment.
Tummler (played by Jacob Sewell)
Tummler is a complex character whose actions oscillate between charming and sinister. He is marked by a 'marvelous persona' that conceals darker tendencies, particularly evident in his disturbing interactions with animals and peers. His character raises questions about morality and the influences of environment on behavior.
Bunny Boy
Bunny Boy is a peculiar figure, only seen wearing pink bunny ears and embodying both innocence and vulnerability. His presence adds an absurd layer to the narrative, often juxtaposed with moments of violence and chaos. This character symbolizes the thin line between childhood whimsy and the cruel realities of life.
Setting
Time period
The film captures a contemporary time period marked by social decay and youthful disillusionment. During this era, themes of violence and moral ambiguity are prevalent, as characters navigate a world filled with chaotic interactions and troubling undertones. The juxtaposition of innocence and cruelty reveals the stark realities faced by the youth of this time.
Location
Xenia, Ohio
Xenia, Ohio is a modest Midwestern town known for its quiet streets and a close-knit community. It gained historical significance due to a devastating tornado that swept through, impacting the lives of its residents and shaping their narratives. The town serves as a backdrop for a series of unusual and harrowing events that unfold within the film.
Themes
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Chaos
Chaos reigns throughout the film, driven by unpredictable actions and the breakdown of societal norms. The characters engage in erratic behaviors, highlighting their struggles and the absurdity of their circumstances. This theme emphasizes the stark contrast between innocence and the darkness that lingers in their lives.
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Animal Cruelty
Animal cruelty is a recurring theme, illustrated through the characters' disturbing treatment of cats and other creatures. The film examines the moral implications of such actions, reflecting the characters' own frustrations and the degradation of their humanity. The mistreatment of animals serves as a grim reflection of their inner turmoil.
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Isolation
Isolation permeates the narrative, as characters grapple with their disconnectedness from society and each other. Solomon's reflections reveal a sense of loneliness amidst the chaos, while interactions with others often highlight betrayal or apathy. This theme accentuates the emotional and psychological barriers that the characters face.
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