Lou Diamond Phillips Leads a Killer Stage Production in ‘Et Tu’
Theater can be a cutthroat business. Et Tu takes that premise literally in a comedic serial killer thriller that gives new meaning to the adage “the show must go on.” Lou Diamond Phillips leads a sharp ensemble as a frustrated director who takes extraordinary steps to fix his wayward production of Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. Anyone who’s worked in a theater company will laugh out loud at the archetypal characters and apt portrayal of the petty bickering that takes place backstage. There’s a giant leap from squabbling to depravity, but sometimes bloody sacrifices must be made for the sake of art — at least according to this film.
A thundering orchestral score signals the violence to come as Brent (Phillips) watches his fractured cast rehearse from the back of the auditorium. He furiously scribbles notes until strangely stopping. Brent tells everyone to take their seats as he stands, annoyed, under a bright spotlight. Let’s just say Brent’s not kind about the awful acting he’s just had to endure. He’s particularly incensed at Marcus (Brennan Keel Cook), the spoiled son of the theater’s owner, who’s been cast as Brutus. But Brent does give kind and encouraging words to Terrence (Antwone Barnes), Marcus’ understudy. This favoritism is noticed by the other understudies, stoking further jealousy.
