There was a point in Tusk where I got up and excused myself to the bathroom. I didn’t have to particularly go, but the images on the big ole screen were so bizarre and demented that it made me throw in the towel. In fact, it can be considered absolutely looney and comical take on Dr. Frankenstein’s monster, but there is a sense of solemn dignity by Michael Parks (Mr. Howe) and hopeless dread by Justin Long (Wallace) that you can almost take this all so seriously. Almost. Thank god for that.
As for the story…Wallace is a podcaster who goes off to Canada to interview an internet viral sensation for his radio show. When that falls through, he sees a notice in a bathroom that intrigues him. Not to make his trip a total waste, he decides to meet this world traveller and hopefully get some good stories out of him. This Mr. Howe however, has more dubious plans for his visitor than just sharing anecdotes. Meanwhile, Wallace’s best friend (Haley Joel Osment) and girlfriend (Genesis Rodriguez) head to the great North to investigate when they get a strange message from him and are worried.
Tusk does jump around both literally and figuratively. In flashbacks, in tone, in genres and in fact is quite messy. It has all the trademarks of a Kevin Smith movie, although, technically this is his best looking film, especially in framing. Having a familiarity with his style does help as he continues his winking at fans. The juvenile jokes are prevalent, but he also constructs borderline eloquent monologues (there a few too many and lengthy as well). In fact, it is both not that funny or scary, but there is a strange, surreal atmosphere that is created and the actors just dive in and it has you both scratching your head and marveling at the performances. One particular scene has Michael Parks playing a simpleton and Johnny Depp as a French sort of Pink Panther detective. They bounce off each other in this indecipherable mess of verbal tennis, that you are just left smiling and confused at the whole scene. Smiling and confused…and scarred I guess is my takeaway from this demented little project.
Did I like it? Honestly, I am not sure.
6/10
Righteous Cinema 
Fascinating review!
Thank you. Still not sure about it, but I guarantee that if you do see it, you will witness some things that you couldn’t have imagined.
Never heard of this film. After reading your review, I feel this is a crazy film that’s all over the place. I’m not sure I ought to check it out even, yet it does seem to have an interesting cast.
Enjoyed reading your review though.
Thanks, I think you would be better off skipping it.
i dont like ksimth
Yeah, I don’t think you’re alone in not knowing if you liked this film. I’ve read many reviews from people who are just confused (and others who are very sure they hated it, haha).