Music producer Raymond Saxx (Goran Visnjic, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) has a drinking-and-drugging problem, which earns him an even bigger problem by Beverly Hills PDs finest: a stay inside the titular ward of the L.A. County Jail. Dubbed by one of its residents as a "sanctuary for broken toys," its the big cement room where the po-po segregate the homosexuals.
As hes introduced to his new temporary home, Saxx is warned to beware the women in there, "because there are no women here." Its swarming with transvestites and transsexuals, all lorded over by Mousey, whos anything but. Mousey (Mexican actress Kate del Castillo, brave and ballsy) is a terrifying presence, all scowls and pencilled eyebrows.
Loosely plotted, K-11 works best as depicting the inner workings of life behind bars, if exaggerated. Like many a women-in-prison picture of a bygone era, viewers get the expected scenes involving showers, sex and substances, but Jules Stewarts directorial debut reflects more modern times with homemade tattoos and impromptu fashion shows.
What these elements add up to, if anything, is questionable. The film seems to be an exercise in excess. Its too shapeless to make any tangible statement, which is kind of a surprise given the elder Stewarts 25-year career as a script supervisor; this is also her first produced screenplay, which she has co-written with fellow neophyte Jared Kurt. Its ending leaves viewers asking, And?
Still, I cant say I wasnt entertained up to that point. Although ostensibly a drama, K-11 strikes me as a wickedly dark comedy. At least that how its played by del Castillo and some of the more able bodies among the cast, most notably Kevin Smith fixture Jason Mewes, as good as ever; Tiny Lister (Deebo of the Friday flicks) as a big ol baby of a child molester; and cake-taking Taken 2s D.B. Sweeney as a corrupt sheriffs deputy who treats those behind bars as a kid does candy behind glass: They all look so tasty!
Certainly, this bizarro circus is poised to be a cult favorite among the LGBT set, but its campy and kooky enough that it extends way beyond mere niche product. Rod Lott
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