The Amateurs (2008)

It's Not About Sex...

THE AMATEURS is one of those surprisingly good films that you've never heard of. Some of that is often due to a limited release. Or perhaps to a change in the name of the film. Or perhaps it's loaded with unknown actors. Well two out of three of those are correct.

The Amateurs received a limited release here in the States in late 2007. It played for only a few weeks at my local indie theater before vanishing, so I never got a chance to check it out. But it laid in the back of my mind because of something that intrigued me...

The name of the film was originally entitled THE MOGULS, and trying to find it under its current name (The Amateurs) could present problems for some DVD viewers. If this is the case, try looking it up under both names and see what you can find.

If you find such actors as Jeff Bridges (Iron Man), Tim Blake Nelson (Fido), Ted Danson, William Fichtner (The Dark Knight), Patrick Fugit (Wristcutters), John Hawkes (American Gangster), Brad William Henke (North Country), Glenne Headly (The Namesake), Lauren Graham (Evan Almighty), and Judy Greer (Elizabethtown) in your selection, then you've found the correct film; a surprising number of well-knowns dot this movie.

Even more surprising is the film's plot: a township that comes together to put out a pornographic movie, and all the trouble they have getting the production going, the actors/actresses assigned, and why each of them is doing it. Now before you click off and say, "I don't want to see a movie about making a porno!" just hang around for a minute, okay? It is and isn't about that. So let's start from the beginning...

Andy (Jeff Bridges) is having a bad year. His wife has left him. His son is living with his wife's new husband in their mansion-on-the-corner. And Andy wants to impress his son and to make him feel that he has a father who cares very much for him. But he's an out-of-work loser whose every plan always dissipates. But one bar-drinking day, Andy comes up with the idea of making a porno in his little town of Butterfield Face, but doing it with the cast and support of those in town.

Men -- obviously -- flock to the project. Emmett (Patrick Fugit) runs the local video store and loves filming on his digital camera, so he is assigned as the "cinematographer." And others fall into various roles as director, producers, and even "the guy who stands around and watches" (William Fichtner as Otis). But finding the ladies if tougher. They have no options at first but scouring fast food chains, mattress sellers and the local strip club soon turn up some interesting options.

Then there's the script, which is talked about in such laid back terms that I found myself howling with laughter ("Now we need the lesbian scene ...but I don't know any lesbians. Do you?" and "We need the obligatory black guys on white girl scene. Anybody know any black guys?") The flat faces and matter-of-fact comments during these scenes made it seem like they could be ordering a book at a local bookstore rather than talking about intimate sex acts.

Of course, disaster strikes the film and all seems lost ...until Andy (Bridges) finds out that he's got a back-up plan and pulls magic out of his ...well ...we'll say hat.

The real theme of the movie, though, isn't about making a porno; it's about love between a father and son, and what one father is willing to do in order to make his son proud of him. And it didn't take a porno. Confused? Good. Check out this film and revel in it. It's good. It's surprisingly good. September 2, 2008

Undiscovered gem

This movie was a big surprise. A friend rented it and then I immediately bought it. If you like quirky movies like "Daddy and Them" you will love this one. August 3, 2008

I felt a little embarrassed, but still laughed.

There is a sweetness and kindness to Jeff Bridges that makes him completely likeable, no matter what the quality of his character. (Seabisquit revealed it to me.) The viewer gets caught up in the sad solution to Andy's (Bridges) lack of direction. The relationships of the small town inspire and bond the characters (a lot of little weirdos) together.
There are scenes that made me cringe, and in one scene where Ted Danson is trying to disprove his gayness, I literally covered my eyes. But there are some distinctly funny moments, mostly delivered by Otis(William Fichtner).
If you are looking for a "great" film. This is not your choice. But if you are looking for a funny little film with a twist--you might enjoy this. My husband and I giggled and gave each other incredulous looks through out the movie. Endearing? Poignant? Oh, yea, and don't forget....a little embarrassing. July 30, 2008

Loved it!

A sweet cinematic confection. Other reviewers have discussed plot, so no need to re-tell the story. The movie very much reminds me of "Cannery Row"...lots of characters, and all of them big-hearted and slightly askew. I enjoyed it immensely. July 24, 2008

Confessions of a "Charm" Junkie

I confess -- I'll watch ANYTHING that has Billy Fichtner in it.

I also confess to having a real soft-spot for films and plays that are charming - "charm" is a much under-rated quality. We seem to get a lot of "manipulative" and "cloying," but we rarely get to see anyting "charming." This film is charming. It's also clever.

Another review compared it to British film and I concur -- it shares its tone with such sweet Brit films as "Millions" and the light comedies that came out of Ealing after WWII.

Is this a "great" film? Will it go down in the annals of film history? Probably not -- but does it have to? Can't it just be a "good watch"? I found it pleasurable just watching a great cast coalesce into a great ensemble -- celebrity actors working in tandem with non-celebrities for the good of the story.

And, of course, it has Billy Fichtner. July 12, 2008

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