Synopsis
In a life full of triumph and failure, "National Lampoon" co-founder Doug Kenney built a comedy empire, molding pop culture in the 1970s.
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Cast
- Will ForteDoug Kenney
- Domhnall GleesonHenry Beard
- Martin MullModern Doug
- Neil CaseyBrian McConnachie
- Jon DalyBill Murray
- Nelson FranklinP.J. O'Rourke
- John GemberlingJohn Belushi
- Rick GlassmanHarold Ramis
- Seth GreenChristopher Guest
- Harry GroenerHarry Kenney
Recommendations
- 82
TheWrap
Even if the casting choices in portraying some of iconic talents in Kenney’s orbit are occasionally questionable — a detail the film gleefully acknowledges — there’s something delightful about watching actors known for comedy now try to capture the sound or energy of the performers who inspired them. - 75
Chicago Sun-Times
This is quite possibly the most self-referential, inside-jokey, look-at-how-clever-we-are, off-the-charts Meta Movie I’ve ever seen. Sometimes that’s pretty great. At other times, it detracts from the core story at hand. - 75
Consequence
Although the film lacks his absurdism, there’s a musicality to Wain’s direction that’s addicting, and the emotional punch in the final five minutes proves there’s a future for the filmmaker that goes way beyond the yucks. - 70
New York Magazine (Vulture)
It’s not particularly illuminating, but it’s far from futile. - 70
IGN
Even though the use of one particular plot device ends up feeling unnecessary and Will Forte can often appear miscast in the lead role, A Futile and Stupid Gesture still conjures up enough real emotions and inventive moments to feel like a worthwhile addition to Hollywood’s often tired biopic subgenre. - 58
The A.V. Club
While pretty consistently amusing, the film still suffers from a chronic case of Wikipediitis, recreating Kenney’s bullet-point moments as substitution for original wit or drama. - 50
IndieWire
Maybe this is exactly the biopic that Kenney would want, silly and bittersweet and laced with regret. Unfortunately, the film is just good enough to convince us that he deserved better. - 50
Los Angeles Times
Wry, head-shaking smiles at bad behavior are many — open laughter is lacking. Wain maintains a frenetic, near-vaudevillian pace, but this is a tribute flick that rejoices in anarchy and tastelessness without being exhilaratingly either thing itself.
