The Amateurs (2005)

The Amateurs (formerly known in the USA as The Moguls) is a really fun, nicely directed movie with heart. Slightly odd, quirky characters banding together to make a porno movie, and getting much more in the process.

There were very few stereotypes in this movie (Ernest, played by Troy Brenna was one) and the story was unpredictable and fun to follow. I appreciate that many of the characters, whom you would normally presume are just there as comic relief, really become significant for other reasons. Some scenes were flat out hilarious (Watch Eileen Brennan in the few scenes she's given).

The matter of fact way that the characters approach making their film provides some of the great moments in this movie.

I highly recommend "The Amateurs" because it's just a great way to spend an evening.

The BIGGEST Critic

Fmovies: I was lucky enough to catch a screening of this and it was a blast. Anyone know when it'll be out in theaters? - many of my friends would like to see it now that I've been telling them some of my favorite scenes. Bill Fichnter's character was by far my favorite although I also loved Jeff Bridges' and Ted Dansons' characters as well. The humor is very quirky - refreshing compared to the formulaic junk that Hollywood typically puts on in the comedy genre. My only issue was that the ending was a bit cheesy - but not enough to detract from the movie in the slightest. I look forward to taking my friends to see this since I know they'll all love it.

I just got back tonight from an early screening of a new movie with Jeff Bridges called The Amateurs at Penn State. The movie was originally meant to be screened last month, with an appearance by co-star Joe Pantoliano. Joey Pants did come (his daughter is a student here), but technical difficulties plagued the screening twenty minutes in. Joe was very apologetic and stayed to answer questions for a while and in the meantime they set up another screening for tonight. No Joe tonight (he's apparently filming a new pilot for CBS about waterfront crime), but the movie did work so I can tell you what it's all about.

Jeff Bridges stars as a recent divorcée who is down on his luck in a small town. Looking for a way to make it big and have the means to spoil his son, he decides to make a porn movie. He does this with the help of his supportive friends, including Pantoliano, Ted Danson, William Fichtner, Tim Blake Nelson and Patrick Fugit. Their film will be distinctive because it will be made by and feature talent from their own small town. Now I know this entire plot sounds kind of corny but it is well executed – everyone laughed pretty hard throughout.

Besides having a great cast, what makes this movie different is that it is a sex comedy for and by adults. This may be a tough sell, but I can say that at least half of tonight's audience was definitely professors and community members, rather than students. Though there is little nudity or hard language, this is an R-movie because of its frank discussion of sex. It's funny because these guys are trying to be respectful by replacing words for genitalia with other appropriate, but ridiculous terms.

As I mentioned, the cast was great and everyone was prefect for their role. Pantoliano plays the appropriately named writer-director of the production, Some Idiot. Danson plays a gay friend who tries too hard at hiding his sexual orientation, making for some very funny and awkward moments. Fichtner does a really good job with making a fairly plain character entertaining and fun to watch. Bridges plays a loser in the vein of "The Dude", except he's got it together a little more and is a little cleaner cut. About half of Bridges performance is voice-over as well, which was done fairly well. My biggest complaint would be that their female characters receive very little screen time and are underdeveloped. The cut we saw really underused Lauren Graham and Judy Greer.

The film was written and directed by Michael Traeger, whose most notable previous credit was writing the script of MTV's Dead Man on Campus (ouch). The script was really funny and the direction was suitable, though not very special. Based on what Joe said at the first screening, it sounds like they will only be changing the opening of the film – so the cut I saw was pretty close to finished. I believe it will be hitting theaters late spring/early summer. All in all it was an entertaining little indie comedy and its worth checking out for a good laugh.

The Amateurs fmovies. I saw this film at the Newport Beach Film Festival where it was a hit. The demand was so high that the programmers had to add a second screening, which sold out as well.

This is a fantastic comedic view of how beautiful small town American life can be. Jeff Bridges plays such a charming, delightful, and well intending mess a of grown man whose humongous heart shines all the way through the movie.

The camaraderie between the whole cast is infectious (what a great cast) and makes you wish you were there with them. Go see this film!! And tell your friends!!!

I have never laughed so hard in a movie as I did Sunday night in Santa Barbara. I have known characters like these all my life who continue to try and succeed in life to win the respect and love of family e.g. Bridges's son. The main motive in life should not be monetary gain but being loved by those who love you. This is the moral of this wonderful movie which made my eyes misty at the end when Bridges kept replaying his son's voice mail,"....I love you Dad!" and then put the new sheets on his son's bed. The characters all mirror Bridges's desire to succeed at something in life. Bridges is like a pied piper in uniting the cast to follow his lead. Danson is a riot. Pantoliano is absolutely terrific. I have never seen him before in such a subdued hilariously funny role. Run! Don't walk to this very wonderful movie. Adding to the foregoing comment which was written over a year ago, I saw the re-cut version of the film last night(4/22/06) and wondered why many of the scenes of the funny grumpy old guy, (Clara's man) were cut, particularly the part near the end when he drives away in a new car with a wide smile after he had been frowning during the whole film. The re-cut version is a tighter film which focuses almost completely on the main characters at the expense of the peripheral characters. However, it is still a terrific film.

A brilliant and subtle movie. If you like quick mind candy and over done special effects you will not enjoy this film. However if you like human stories with endearing comedy you will love this film. Joe Pantoliano totally sacrificed his tough guy image that he developed in the Sopranos in order to clearly and humorously depict a quirky character in the film. Ted Danson did the same; totally destroying that suave smooth Cheers persona that he has been maintaining for so many years. WARNING: People who want the actors stuck in a box don't go and see this film. It is a brilliant fast moving witty depiction of the dreams that so many of us have, but few have the courage to fulfill.