Talk about a lot with a little. Tex Montana Will Survive is an economical picture. Squeezing out an 84 minute improvisational survival comedy on a reported $1,500 budget is no small feat. The film is made more impressive when you learn O. hannah Films went out of their way to crowdfund the money to release this movie for FREE. If that's not doing it for the art I don't know what is.
The film itself is akin to a survival documentary series--think Survivorman--featuring the blissfully stupid Tex Montana, who goes off the grid into the wilderness to prove to he's the real deal.
Things go poorly as we watch Montana use his "skill" to endure a harsh winter, dwindling supplies, and lack of overall knowledge about anything pertaining to nature or survival.
The film is entirely improvisational and your enjoyment will depend on your liking of co-director and star Jeremy Gardner in the title (and only) role. Tex Montana is pompous, ignorant, but lovable simpleton played with charisma and fearlessness.
Naturally with an improvised movie, there will be some jokes that miss their mark, but for the most part the film is funny and moves briskly. The setting and visuals are impressive for the budget and the film has no shortage of ideas. My favorite moment being Montana playing the drums with bones he says he salvaged from the remains of a dead bear cub. If that sounds funny to you, check it out.
