For those who don’t know the name Jason Mewes, just think of any Kevin Smith movie that features the characters Jay and Silent Bob. Then you’ve seen Jason Mewes who in this film is trying to prove that he can be more than just a foul-mouthed fast talking sidekick. “Madness In The Method” is simply the Jason Mewes story with a little accidental murder added to the mix.

The film opens with Jason who didn’t write, but does star in and direct this film, talking directly to the camera doing a serious monologue. This turns out to be an audition where the director informs him that he doesn’t want Jason for a serious role, he wants Jay to play the stoner buddy. Most people who have done any serious acting worry of the possible curse in being type casted. Where once you start getting cast as a type you will continually be cast as that type. Then enter Kevin Smith, because where there is one, the other exists. And Kevin recommends a book on Method acting in order to help Jay expand his range.

From there we are introduced to a series of characters that range for a Latin lover (Fernando Villarreal) who is hiding out in his home because Latin women are so in love with him. To a drunken hack of a police detective (Mickey Gooch Jr.) along with a pretty decent list of well know actors, that include Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher, Danny Trejo, Gina Carano, and even Stan Lee in one of his last cameos before he died.

As to the plot of the film, there isn’t much to it. Jay reads the book but not as he is supposed to read in that slowly drives him a bit insane as he gets into the method. It also manages to feed his celebrity. Which in turns provides him with opportunities for acting roles, because the more famous you are, the more likely you are to get cast in big projects. And any press is good press.

What Madness In The Method is, is a lesson in what happens if Kevin Smith were to teach filmmaking. You would get some light comedy, a lot of celebrity cameos, and a bunch of dick jokes.  Mixed in are a few relevant commentary items as to the celebrity obsessed world we live in. For example there is a running joke about people walking up to celebrates with phones in their hands looking to get a selfie. Or, the previously mentioned how any news is good news when it comes to a celebrities profile.

So, as a fan of Kevin Smith I enjoyed this movie knowing full well that most people who watch it probably won’t. If you are looking for something deep, you probably aren’t going to find it. If you are looking for a laugh out loud comedy, you aren’t going to find that either. What you will get is a shallow film with not much to it, to take your mind of whatever it is on prior to watching this film. For a low budget film and a first time director, it isn’t too bad.

You can watch this review on YouTube…

  • Director: Jason Mewes
  • Written by: Dominic Burns and Chris Anastasi
  • Starring: Jason Mewes
  • Running Time: 1 hour and 39 minutes
  • Released Date: August 2nd, 2019

Review by Milo Denison, the author of “How to Manage Your Manager” a satirical look at being successful in the corporate world.