Debbie Lynn Elias
Film Critic to the Culver City Observer
and over 129 Publications Worldwide

The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry, which in the case of Kevin Keresey’s THE RAT THING, awry is a good thing, a very good thing.

Kevin Keresey stars as Jack Kelly.  A veteran of numerous indie films and a well known face to television audiences, he also serves as producer, writer and director of THE RAT THING, all to an excellent result.

Determined to retain the role of Jack for himself as well as direct the project, Keresey passed on offers to sell this screenplay to major studios and held out to see his vision through. After seeing Keresey here, he made the right choice. 

Joining as Jack’s partner in crime is Michael McGee as the woebegone Joey.  A trained stage actor, McGee brings a childlike naiveté to Joey that goes miles in affording forgiveness to at least Joey for the get rich quick schemes the two concoct.

The concept is rooted in a familiarity to us all (McDonald’s coffee and quick money $$$$$$$), which Keresey then elevates to a new level with well placed timely humor, unexpected and welcome twists and turns and then adds a rat that is just as cute as cute can be. A semi-finalist in the 2002 Nicholls Screenwriting Competition, with THE RAT THING, Keresey’s voice is clear.  The relationship between Jack and Joey is beyond believable and the dialogue is true to life and unstilted.

In his first outing as a director, the film demonstrates Keresey’s innate skill level with promises of even better things to come. The talent and vision is there and Keresey clearly defines his story.

THE RAT THING has humor and heart, be it from the mouse or the men.  Sometimes it’s okay if your plans go awry...sometimes they even turn out better than planned.

One plan you can count on is THE RAT THING.