Mother Schmuckers Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		1.5
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		3.5

Mother Schmuckers Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 24, 2022

Some credit is due to co-writer/co-directors Harpo and Lenny Guit, who certainly understand how to identify the exact tonality and level of humor found in “Mother Schmuckers,” doing so right in the opening scene. We meet siblings Issachar (Maxi Delmelle) and Zabulon (Harpo Guit) while they mess around in a kitchen, with their mother, Cachemire (Claire Bodson), instinctively knowing the two are up to no good. Turns out, she’s right, with the siblings in the process of cooking a lump of feces, preparing to taste it because the pair are morons. Mom catches the sight of it, and eventually throws up right on the camera lens. And this, dear readers, is how “Mother Schmuckers” begins, making for a long 65 minutes before the Guits find their way to a conclusion.

“Mother Schmuckers” is a Belgian production, with the Guits trying to create an exercise in bad taste. It’s not exactly a fresh take on gross-outs, but the movie isn’t big on supporting disgusting misadventures with at least some form of wit. It’s a “Dumb and Dumber” retread with Issachar and Zabulon as the lead dimwits trying to make their way in the world. A plot of sorts emerges with a missing dog known as January Jack, who belongs to Cachemire, motivating the two boobs to retrieve the pooch before more trouble returns to their lives. Along the way, “Mother Schmuckers” observes the twosome play with a gun, witness bestiality, and confront necrophilia, with the Guits moving the endeavor along in a speedy manner, keeping the main characters pinballing around awkward situations. Supporting characters are present to keep things interesting, but the bulk of the viewing experience remains with the brothers, and simple nitwit shenanigans aren’t enough to keep this uninspired comedy at least mildly interesting.

Mother Schmuckers Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.50:1 aspect ratio) presentation provides a colorful look at the grotesque world of "Mother Schmuckers." The HD-shot features does well with primaries, exploring bright hues with town tours and interior altercations. Clothing choices also carry some power, along with more acid-y underworld misadventures. Skintones are natural. Detail is acceptable, surveying some textured skin surfaces and fibrous costuming, but encoding isn't strong, leading to stretches of blockiness. City distances remain dimensional. Delineation is satisfactory.

Mother Schmuckers Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 5.1 DTS-HD MA mix supports the chaotic nature of "Mother Schmuckers," leading with clean dialogue exchanges, which sort through the variety of performances and the occasional overlapping nature of the conversations. Music supports with authority, offering sharp instrumentation and fullness of sound. Atmospherics deliver a sense of city movement and room tone. Low-end isn't challenged.

Mother Schmuckers Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Short Films "Nathalie Vous Nique Tous" (17:40) and "La Brigade Du Kiff" (12:22) are included.

• Music Videos offers "Tigre Blanc: Beau Gosse" (2:38) and "Tigre Blanc: J'ai Bespin D'amour" (2:21).

• "Le Pierre Azoulay Show" (7:08) presents three episodes of the comedy series.

• Mini-Shorts contain 14 offerings. A Play All option is included.

• "Qui M'a Mis Dans Le Puits" (2:35) features the song from "Mother Schmuckers."

• "Fresco's Demo Reel" (1:15) is presented.

• Photo Gallery (26 images) collects BTS snaps.

• And an Official Trailer (1:15) and a Belgium Trailer (1:10) are included.

Mother Schmuckers Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Craziness appears to be the creative goal of "Mother Schmuckers," with the Guits making a colorful and maniacally performed picture, looking to make a mess of things as the endeavor veers into prank T.V. territory, often finding the brothers dashing around the city while onlookers process what's going on. Laughs aren't readily available, but the movie might find a receptive audience with teens unfamiliar with the screen art of gags with gags, as John Waters did this type of thing decades ago, only he managed to bring a demented sense of charm to the awfulness. "Mother Schmuckers" doesn't have the vision for that, becoming a blunt instrument of shock value, trying way too hard to be disgusting and irreverent. While it only manages to come up with just over an hour of material, it's still short on a noticeable fun factor.