Brilliant idea; surprisingly great movie
i devour books | SoCal USA | 01/26/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"While this movie lacks A-list stars, it is surprisingly good comedy! It's a fun movie with the lead character talking to the camera a'la Ferris Bueller. Too bad this didn't get a wide release."
A surprising, light-hearted gem
Book Happy | 07/16/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I loved this film. Idiosyncratic, light-hearted and whimsical in tone, it was a lot of fun to follow the main character Blake's quest to avoid cliche and make something worthy of his movie/life. The remarkable charm of the lead actor, Jeremy Sisto, sells the film--I couldn't help rooting for the character as he set out to win a "love interest", compete with conventionally successful men, and overcome a "suspicious character". I knew Sisto previously for intelligently played, intense characters with a dark side; I really hope this actor continues to get quality leading roles to showcase his range and talent.
Alongside this storyline, Blake often addresses his audience (us), an entity he can't see but believes in and wishes to entertain and ultimately protect. This last element really intrigued me, because this fun, light film has underlying questions to raise just as Blake is revealed to be a man of depth who is not as insane as he seems. While my date and I watched the movie, we were laughing and smiling. Afterwards, we found ourselves talking about what it means to be a somebody vs. a nobody, fulfilling one's promise by doing something with life, worthiness, conformity, insanity vs. creativity, and settling for less. It particularly spoke to me as an artist, and I liked how, in a fun way, the film challenges the audience to be more than just an audience and to instead imagine that they themselves are the "hero" with their own stories worth telling and worth investment.
My only qualm is that I wished that the DVD offered more extras: deleted scenes and alternate endings that the director mentioned, cast commentaries, etc. It was clearly a film made for love rather than money (the first-rate cast worked for near nothing), and I'd love to see more films with this kind of originality."
Funny and Brilliant
Thomas P. Burwell | Huntsville, AL USA | 07/02/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Movie Hero explores the role movies can have as inspiring us to live more fulfilling, more productive lives. I loved the metaphor of "audiences" being what connects people to each other.
If you think movies can be more than just entertaining diversions from "real" life, if you're looking for a movie that you can love for its IDEAS and not just it's jokes, dramatic moments, or special effects, then you will want to see this."