Delightful Water Universe

DELIGHTFUL WATER UNIVERSE — ★★ — Bill Allred , Dan Morley, Stefene Russell; not rated, probable R (vulgarity, sex, violence, profanity, drugs, torture, slurs, brief nudity); Tower Theatre

You have to hand it to Utah filmmaker Trent Harris. Love his movies or hate them, they're never boring.

That's even true of his latest feature film, "Delightful Water Universe." A mix of crackpot weirdness and big ideas — some of them involving conspiracy paranoia, the corruption of the mass media and futuristic politics — it's as odd as anything he's done to date.

Unfortunately, it's not very coherent or cohesive, nor is it done all that well. But it's certainly not due to a lack of effort on his part.

This dystopian sci-fi/comedy is narrated by an imprisoned man named Franklin (Dan Morley), who is trying to write a manuscript while he awaits interrogation and his latest round of drug treatments.

Franklin is trying to tell the fictional story about an alcoholic, womanizing magazine writer known simply as Vicious (Bill Allred). His boss has given him one last-chance story assignment.

Instead, Vicious is falling under the sway of an alluring mystery woman, Lisa (Liberty Valentine), and is fending off the advances of another woman, T.T. Swackhumma (Harris regular Stefene Russell).

T.T. is a conspiracy buff who's convinced she may have uncovered a vast, eco-terrorist plot — one that may lead them to the elusive Bigfoot, as well.

Screenwriter/director Harris doesn't really connect the dots. Knowing him, though, that may have been the intent — to force the audience to make up their own minds as to what's going on.

The film has its share of exploitative moments, as well, though — such as scenes showing women in various states of undress.

But a sex scene, which is performed through interpretive dance, is amusing, if too long.

As for the performances, they're a mixed bag at best. Local dancer/actress Valentine fares better, simply because she is more natural and is less forced than the others.

"Delightful Water Universe" is not rated but would probably receive an R for crude sexual and scatological humor (references and sight gags), simulated sex and other sexual contact (mostly implied), some strong violent action (rioting, explosive and fiery mayhem, and a violent scuffle), scattered strong profanity, drug content and references (prescription medications), a comical interrogation scene, derogatory language and slurs, and some brief female nudity. Running time: 86 minutes.

E-mail: jeff@desnews.com