The Darwin Awards

Something is amiss in this fictionalized spin-off of the real-life Darwin Awards, which are given annually to people who kill themselves in the most unusual of ways. (Not surprisingly, the winners also are determined posthumously.) Writer/director Finn Taylor (Dream With the Fishes, Cherish) sets a neurotic San Francisco forensic detective-turned-insurance profiler (Joseph Fiennes), a claims investigator (Winona Ryder) and a film student making a documentary (Wilmer Valderrama) out to investigate the deaths, which comprise much of the movie and give screen time to various guest stars. With the likes of David Arquette, Nora Dunn, Robin Tunney, Julianna Margulies, Juliette Lewis, a few hip musicians and beat poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti popping up, the film plays like “It’s a Mad, Mad Indie World.” Unfortunately, Taylor can’t decide if this creation is a broad yuk-fest or a farce or a pitch black comedy, and the only arthouse crowds that took a chance on Darwin Awards were the ones who caught it at film festivals.

Shelf Talk: Because of its lack of theatrical exposure, this title faces an uphill battle to find an audience. The aforementioned names will help spark some interest, especially Valderrama, who’s making a break into feature films while still coasting on the fumes of TV’s That ’70s Show, and Ryder, who still has a following even after being out of the spotlight in recent years. Trailers playing up the quirky nature of the film on other Fox Searchlight titles will help to increase interest levels.