A man goes through hell…in this case literally…to get to his girlfriend in this throwback to 80’s indie comedies from Gary Whorley.

Michael is driving and texting his girlfriend Lana. However, upon nearly finishing the message, he is killed in an accident. Michael soon ends up in Hell, where he meets local tour guide Chang. Chang informs Michael that there aren’t 7 rings of Hell but rather over 2,000. Taking Michael to a funeral, he soon learns that he may have a chance to finish what he started. However, there is one little issue. There are no cellphones in the current realm, and he will need some help.

Chang offers to help Michael, but they cannot go through the journey alone. Enter Carmellita, who is willing to help the duo. As Michael makes his way to send that final message out, he begins to reminiscence about Lana. From their first meeting to a near confrontation with some bullies, Michael is determined to get the message out, even to avoid the big bad Lucifer themselves!

Remember those 80’s B-comedies that used to air on USA Up All Night that were low-grade but still had some sort of following. Stuff like Beach Fever, Teenage Catgirls in Hell, those movies? Well, Gary Whorley brings that vibe into the mix this wild and sometimes emotionally charged romantic comedy about a dead man’s journey to send the message he never finished. We get glimpses into the relationship between Michael and Lana as we see how they met and their best moments and even their ‘not-so” best moments, like when Lana is berated by one of her bandmates for even being in a relationship.

Steve Wandling gives off a great performance as Michael. We see him as the lovestruck man who is willing to go to great lengths, including enter various realms of Hell, to get his final message out. During the flashbacks, we see him as a nervous wreck when he introduces himself to Lana, played by Zoe Scarborough. The flashbacks of their relationship is quite cute and doesn’t require anything too raunchy. As a matter of fact, that’s wholesome compared to what we experience in Hell, seen through a nice red filter but looking like well, your ordinary place without the fire and brimstone.

The director himself, Gary Whorley, is hilarious as Chang, Michael’s fast-talking tour guide through Hell. He is the comic foil who highlights the hilarity of the film with Jae Grace’s Carmellita as someone who, like Michael, seems innocent enough and helps the duo out as she has the ability to cross realms. What’s even funnier is that Satan is described as the “horny” one and one would assume because Satan is known to have horns…unless you’re Sheri Davis and then it gives a whole new meaning. The end credit scenes have cameos from four wonderful actors who give their interpretation of Hell…they are none other than Jeremy London, Felissa Rose, Lisa Wilcox, and the hilarious Troy Fromin.

What I Meant to Say Was… is a fun and sometimes emotionally charged throwback to some great cult classics in the 80’s B-movie realm. If USA Up All Night still ran, this would be the perfect film to include it. Gary Whorley not only proves he’s a great filmmaker but he is a hilarious actor in the role of Chang.

WFG RATING: A-

A Saint Studios Film. Director: Gary Whorley. Producer: Curtis Everitt. Writer: Gary Whorley. Cinematography: Krista Whorley. Editing: Gary Whorley and Krista Whorley.

Cast: Steve Wandling, Gary Whorley, Jae Grace, Zoe Scarborough, Sheri Davis, Jeremy London, Felissa Rose, Lisa Wilcox, Troy Fromin.