I admit to not having read the Ruth Rendell story this short film is based upon. I found it as an extra on the DVD of TWISTED, a modern re-telling of OLIVER TWIST. What a treat to see two of my favorite stage stars Michael Countryman and Tony-Winner Elizabeth Franz turning in excellent performances in this mini-movie. Countryman plays a mama's boy engaged to be married, much to his seamstress mom's (Franz) dismay. Seems daddy died in a mysterious hunting accident and the house is a taxidermist's dream house. Mom sews up a wolf's suit for son's community theatre "Red Riding Hood", but the lupine skin suit somehow doesn't stay on the wardrobe rack after the final curtain. While the film is pithy and well shot, my thoughts couldn't help but turn to the recent HBO documentary on 'furries' - a subculture of folks who dress in animal suits for prurient pleasures. Perhaps that's not where the film wants us to go, but the whole affair is decidedly loopy, so why not?
