By Marc S. Sanders
Forgotten Fortune is a welcome film that brings attention to the unwelcome ailments of dementia/Alzheimer’s disease. Yet, what writer/director Esteban “Stevie” Fernandez Jr demonstrates is that a diagnosis does not end the value of life.
Brian Franks (Brian Shoop) is a retired mailman. One morning during one of his dementia induced walks, dressed in full uniform, he comes upon the aftermath of what looks to be a murder, committed by two men. It’s hard for the local police and his adult children to believe his story though, considering his age and condition.
Only when clues are uncovered following the unexpected death of his best friend, Leo (Lou Ferrigno), does the reality of seeing these two men Brian insists on witnessing appear to convince everyone else. Now it is up to Brian and his pal, Larry (Jimmie JJ Walker), to solve the mystery and catch the culprits.
Forgotten Fortune is produced with simplicity, not a lot of aggressive beats in suspense or action. The attempts at humor want to go no further than PG rated material, with the most risqué beat stemming from someone peeing loudly while wired by the cops.
Fernandez is interested in sending a message about how to live a new normal with the elderly in the family and he spices up his message with some adventure. I appreciate the sensitivity devoted to dementia and Brian Shoop plays it well. He’s likable as the straight man to this trio partnered with Walker and Ferrigno. I do wish the undertaking relied more on the recognizable strengths of these fellows.
Ferrigno, who I had the pleasure of meeting in person, is still the muscle man and he’s got comedic chops (The King Of Queens). Jimmie Walker with his “dyn-o-mite” personality still transcends generations long after Good Times ended. He might be pigeonholed to that role, but he owns it all by himself and no one can take that away. These three guys are such an odd match up that there is real promise in blending their career defining histories together. I wish Fernandez would have depended more on why these guys are truly beloved within the world of pop culture and their devoted fans.
Forgotten Fortune stands out among a crowded assembly of films because of its focus on a very real and likely fate for many people. Aging is the one thing that none of us can escape, and a large percentage of the world population experience the side effects of that situation. Yet Alzheimer’s and dementia should not make any of us or our loved ones feel any less than what we once were. Intelligence and instinct can remain and therefore trust and faith should be upheld. That’s the forgotten fortune of this film.
2 UNPAID MOVIE CRITICS!!!! 