WFG RATING: B+

Directed by Johnny Baca. Written and produced by Tom Lopilato. Cinematography and edited by Mark C. Andrews. 

Stars Spencer Vaughn Kelly, Gui Kaleski, Dawna Lee Heising, Madison Spear, Mike Thompson, Hettie Lynne Hurtes, Roy Allen, and Stacy Marie Turner.

This is a wild film set in a different kind of society where words can determine life and death, but done in a funny way!

In a world when words are limited and running out can result in death, Tom Brennan has lived a humdrum life and doesn’t really have much to do at work. He is supposed to help people who claim to have defective word meters, but clearly has no interest in work. However, an opportunity comes for him where he is offered a promotion as long as he does the work as a head analyst in charge of helping those with “defective” WordMeters. 

When Tom announces the news to his best friend Robbie, instead of a simple celebratory lunch, the two end up at a gentlemen’s club. When Tom breaks the news to his teacher wife, Mary, she is mad that he’s not talking enough at first, but is excited upon hearing about his new job. However, when Tom starts his new position, things go awry from the start. 

From the mind of Tom Lopilato comes this very wild and wacky pilot for a potential series set in a world where words really are the language of life. In the opening scene, we see an elderly couple where the wife won a scratch off ticket that gave her 5000 words in her WordMeter, which is like a chip located in their bodies. When her words run out, she is electrocuted to the horror of her husband seeing it happen. This is the only casualty of the film but shows what kind of world we are living in. 

In a move that could be inspired by a classic sitcom in Saved by the Bell, the show revolves around the world through the eyes of Tom Brennan, played by Spencer Vaughn Kelly. When he breaks the fourth wall and explains his situation to the audience,everyone else ends up in a freeze frame, like Zack Morris’ “time out”. Once he’s done, we hear a record-scratching noise that starts up the story again. Starting out as a slacker, Tom gets a sense of redemption when he’s offered a raise and promotion in the company he works at, helping those who claim to have “defective” WordMeters. 

We see some great supporting characters that either make Tom feel good or try to make his life hell. An in-between is his wife Mary, played hilariously by Madison Spear. She is a teacher who is pro-gun in more ways than one, even being allowed to use it in schools. Ones who make him feel confident are his mother-in-law Mama Beverly, played by Hettie Lyn Hurtes and dancer Crystal, played by WorldFilmGeek Hall of Famer Dawna Lee Heising. In the final act, we see Tom having to comfort Crystal when she is forced into a situation from his own boss, who nearly gets caught not just from him but his own wife. This leads to a chaotic and unbelievable moment! 

WordLotto is something quite different but in a fun modern day sort of way, thanks to some hilarity in a world where words can cause your death. Definitely worth checking out.