IR Film Review: MOSQUITO STATE [Shudder]
The inevitability of chaos is not a human construct but one that has been restricted in the primal for many years. Its effect is undeniable since nothing can last forever especially when certain forces of nature are pushing against it. With a film like "Mosquito State", the horror is bathed more in the metaphor of the life it is building and destroying at the same time. Richard Boca (as played by Beau Knapp) is a finance model and odds creator on the cusp of the housing fall of 2008 who doesn't know the build between nature and nuture, logic and emotion yet can predict inevitabilities until he can't.
In a way, "Mosquito State" is like a reverse "American Psycho" because it is about using the aspect of emotion (and, to a point, faith) to motivate the idea of understanding and eventual degradation and destruction just by simple existence. Boca's journey begins at a party where the lovely Lena (Charlotte Vega)takes an interest in him. The perception, of course, is that she is working him in a predatory way to gain influence and societal placement but there is a balance of adjustment which is subtle but approachable. Like anyone, she is part of the system and plays the game in a way that suits her, while not stepping over her own bounds too much if she can help it. Boca's eyes are opened but slightly but that allows something else to come in the door: the mosquitoes. The metaphor of the swarm and the notion of controlling him is a bit too contrived at points but serves itself.
While a movement more in concert with "The Fly" was at first possible, the reasoning of the changing of Boca in terms of who he is is less clear and interesting to be honest. He moves towards the idea of the Queen which is where much of the build is heading, especially with Lena. But the repercussions work in a less combative way, specifically and likely because of the ideal of the housing crash as a loss of control wit the mosquitoes more as a metaphorical than as a literal. The apartment of Boca has the essence of a hive in many ways with the blood of wine and the decomposition of fruit which are interesting details (and are a form of gluttony in a way) but they are ones that could have been amped in many ways to a different degree of endgame. The opening credits speak to something both scientific and primal which never truly comes to bear. Even the ending image and its looking glass connotations speak to disconnection rather than a transcendence which is where Boca was heading but maybe did not quite achieve. C+
By Tim Wassberg
