All dreams, no matter how ambitious or seemingly unserious, are worth pursuing. The characters that make up the world of directors David Norman Lewis and Noah Zoltan Sofian’s Fantasy A Gets A Mattress illustrate this perfectly, and lucky for filmgoers, watching them pursue their dreams is wildly entertaining and downright hilarious.
Fantasy A (Alexander “Fantasy A” Hubbard) is an autistic rapper who spends his days galivanting across Seattle to hang up his posters, perform his music on street corners, and try in vain to shoot his next music video. His devoted and quirky manager, Asia Rose (Acacia Porter), works diligently to make him a success, even while being haunted by the betrayal of her former client and cousin, Lil Rude Puss (Keosha Fredricks). A wrench is thrown in Fantasy A’s plan for success when Glenn (Chris Zapata), who runs the group home that Fantasy A lives in, enforces a new curfew that results in Fantasy A losing his spot. From there, he and Asia encounter a variety of misfits who all have their ambitious dreams.
Fantasy A Gets A Mattress is pure fun from beginning to end. The characters and the absurd situations they find themselves in will keep audiences entertained and laughing throughout the movie. Our titular lead, Fantasy A, possesses a mix of naivete and bravado, making him instantly likable and endlessly endearing. You can’t help but root for him as he treks across the scorching landscape of Seattle in the summer. The real-life Fantasy A infuses his fictional counterpart with a massive amount of heart, vulnerability, and determination, and the film is all the better for it.
While Fantasy A is a strong lead, the film’s other characters and cast members are just as exciting and enjoyable. Porter’s Asia Rose vendetta against her cousin, Lil Rude Puss, is especially funny. While the character is slightly delusional, it’s understandable, given the situation she has been put in. Like Fantasy A, you can’t help but enjoy and root for the character. Logic Amen’s Ramon is a villainous but hilarious character who wants to turn the impoverished group home he runs into a dojo, even if it means kicking out those who rely on low-income housing. There’s also the rich, loveable loser, Zander (Aaron Billingsly), who offers to loan the desperate Asia Rose money, but at a steep and hilarious price.
Although some might dismiss the film as unserious and satirical, it deftly manages to include social commentary about the hardships of being a creative. This is especially highlighted in Fantasy A and Asia Rose’s story arcs. Struggling to find reliable housing, dealing with crooked property managers and authority figures, and daring to chase your dreams when the deck seems to be stacked against you. The characters in the story aren’t willing to take no for an answer, even when giving up is seemingly the best option. The film wisely disarms and charms viewers up front, and thus, makes it easy for the audience to be open to the more serious social issues the movie is illuminating. Very few films manage to succeed at this tactic, while this one does it expertly.
Quirky, hilarious, and off-beat, Fantasy A Gets A Mattress is a wildly entertaining comedy that, even within its absurdity, reminds viewers of the importance of chasing their dreams no matter how big or small those dreams may be.
Fantasy A Gets A Mattress was screened as part of the 2024 Oak Cliff Film Festival.
Quirky, hilarious, and off-beat, Fantasy A Gets A Mattress is a wildly entertaining comedy that, even within its absurdity, reminds viewers of the importance of chasing their dreams no matter how big or small those dreams may be.
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Writer. Video Essayist. Film/TV Critic. Pop Culture Enthusiast.
When he isn’t writing for Geek Vibes Nation or The Cinema Spot, Tristian can be found typing away at one of the novels or screenplays he’s been working on forever.
