Stuntmen (2009) Reviews

• Par for the mockumentary course

  MBunge2011-06-05

  Like a lot of other largely improvised mockumentaries, the biggest problem with Stuntmen is that it clearly never knows what's funny and what isn't. It just puts people in front of the camera and lets them go off, but writer/director Eric Amadio obviously could never tell when his actors were soaring, when they were falling flat and how to get more of the former and less of the latter. And things certainly aren't improved when a tired plot about gay acceptance, of all things, tries to assert itself toward the end. Steve (Chris Tarantino) has been hired to shoot some interview footage for the upcoming Stuntman Awards. The sort of ambitious nincompoop who thinks feigning a British accent on camera will be good for his career, Steve decides to hijack the filming and turn it into a documentary about the rivalry between top stuntmen Eligh Supreme (Marc Blucas) and Tank Macho (Ross Patterson). Besides talking to the obscurely metrosexual Eligh and the non-Southern redneck Tank, Steve interviews a whole host of others as the animosity between the two nominees for Stuntman of the Year destroys the awards ceremony until it has to be put on at the local Elk's Club in front of a crowd bussed in from a nearby retirement home. Along the way, Steve discovers a dark family secret about Eligh and must decide whether to reveal it or not. If you've ever seen one of these things, you know what the drill is. The cast is stuck in front of the camera, given some basic material to work off and told to just vamp until they come up with something funny. Sometimes it works. In this film that's usually when it's Marc Blucas or Ross Patterson on screen as the two feuding stuntmen or when it's Lance LeGault as Eligh's Ultimate Old School grandfather or Ray Wise as an intense, middle aged stuntman who claims to have been born without a sense of humor. Dominique Swain also gets off some good lines as the stuntwoman who married Eligh but then ran off during the wedding reception to be with Tank. Sometimes it doesn't. That's usually when anybody else is on camera, particularly Eligh and Tank's ultra-phony, ultra-competitive agents (Joel David Moore, Zachary Levi and Brandon Routh). It's not that they're unfunny. It's that they're trying so hard and not even getting close to comedy. Even at it's best, improve tends to be moments of brilliance breaking up long stretches of mediocrity. Stuntmen has the long stretches of mediocrity, but it's interrupted by moments of only the somewhat above average. Now, humor is very subjective. What's hilarious to one is boring to another, especially when the humor is fairly scattered and unformed. So, you might enjoy this movie much more than I did. It's reasonably well made and is never aggravating or wastes too much of your time. If you like the mockumentary sub-genre, this is probably worth a look. If you've seen a few and they leave you cold, Stuntmen isn't going to be any different.

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• really funny movie - really funny cast

  fitzpitz2009-08-18

  This mockumentary follows the lives of the two men who are up for the 'stuntman of the year' award, as well as a lot of other characters including their agents, girlfriends, and family members. It's kind of like a cross between Zoolander and Waiting for Guffman. This film has a great ensemble cast of very funny actors, who all deliver incredible performances. The humour and language definitely push the envelope on more than one occasion. I literally cringed several times and some of the ridiculous things coming out of the actor's mouthes. All in all, it just builds the laughs up even more. Don't watch it with grandma, but definitely watch it.

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• occasional amusing but not very good mockumentary

  dbborroughs2009-08-15

  Mockumentary about two stuntmen who hate each other with a deep passion (among other things one stole the others bride at the altar) up for the Stuntman of the Year award. Occasionally amusing, but mostly misfiring comedy that is more often then not in well worn territory. Its not bad, then again its not very good and even as you're chuckling you'll be wondering why the hell are you actually watching this thing. Frankly you have to wonder about any film that trumpets Brandon (Superman) Routh as the star when the role is actually a supporting one. (This isn't a knock against Routh who's good, only that its desperation on the part of the filmmakers.) I didn't hate the film, but at the same time I have no idea why I watched it past a certain point since its too long for what it is. I'd take a pass.

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• Hilarious

  americanflickcritic2009-08-18

  I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I watched the movie, but started laughing and didn't stop for an hour and a half. I'm really not a fan of mockumentaries, but this one is really, really funny. So many ridiculous one-liners. When you watch it, you'll definitely be rewinding a few of the scenes and watching them again. The guy from Chuck was hilarious. I might actually start watching that show now. Don't expect any Oscar nominations, but definitely a good movie to check out if you want to have a serious laugh session. I'm going to have to watch it another couple of times to catch all of the jokes that I missed the first time around.

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• Laugh Out Loud Funny and Entertaining

  allie-tillman2012-11-30

  Like others, I picked up this DVD because I like the occasional mockumentary, not expecting much. It was hilarious! I rarely write reviews, but I thought it was only appropriate to review a movie that is downright creative, sincerely funny and clever. I was into every second of the film! This is a real gem for sure and the acting was phenomenal. I am shocked that this hasn't blown up because the cast and creators obviously put together something really special and different. So, to sum things up, go rent this movie asap - you will have a great night in with lots of laughs.

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