An automatic hammer threatens to destroy a man’s construction company and his relationship with his son. Another absurd goof from director Will Kempner, who previously gave us “Serf’s Up”, a time-traveling backyard odyssey, “The Good Boy” is an intentionally awkward comedy arriving from straight-faced performances in ludicrous scenes. We begin in 1999 with Frankie as a young boy on a construction site getting a pep talk from his dad about the meaningful work of building houses: “there’s gonna be a lot of great dads and great sons living in this house one day.” In fact, old man Fischer has designs of one day adding ‘& Son’ to the company name. But as we cut ahead 12 years later, Frankie is an unmotivated stoner who wants less responsibility, not more. But that’s nothing compared to another encroaching threat, an automatic hammer robot (1,000 nails per minute, wow) sweeping the industry putting people out of work everywhere. Up against the wall, Fischer must make tough choices about the future of his company and employees including his son. Kempner has a wonderfully silly vision, and his new film is chock full of memorable characters, oddly recited one-liners and clever transitions. Robots can’t do that.

Directed and edited by Will Kempner. Starring Dan Lynch and TJ Harkins. Written by Jeff Marks, Will Kempner. Produced by Colin Garland, Sarah Corrigan, Will Kempner. D.P. Alex Fjellberg Swerdlowe.