Free Enterprise (1998)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Robert Meyer Burnett

Writers:

Mark A. Altman (writer) &
Robert Meyer Burnett (writer)

Release Date:

4 June 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

The Shat hits the fan

Plot:

Young filmmakers (Rafer Weigel, Eric McCormack) trying to hawk a movie titled "Bradykillers" about a serial killer who goes after victims Marcia...

Plot Keywords:

Satire | X Men | Answering Machine | Ménage À Trois | Actor Playing Himself

Awards:

4 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Eric McCormack	...	Mark
Carl Bressler	...	Mort Berg
Ethan Glazer	...	Young Mark
Phyllis Franklin	...	Ticket Taker
Brandon Kleyla	...	Young Kevin
Thomas Hobson	...	Richard
Marilyn Kentz	...	Gail - Mark's Mom
Spencer Klein	...	Young Robert
Mickey Cassidy	...	Bully
Rafer Weigel	...	Robert
Jennifer Sommerfield	...	Tricia
Latricia Cruz	...	Mexican Waitress
Annika Brindley	...	Astrid
William Shatner	...	Bill
Michael Altman	...	Eden Waiter

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality and language.

Runtime:

113 min | 121 min (extended version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Germany:6 | Australia:M | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Culver City, California, USA

Company:

Mindfire Entertainment

Trivia:

Further, the credit "The Artist Formerly Known as Shatner" is a jibe at singer Prince, who for a period of time was known as "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince" due to a conflict with his record company. Shatner's attempt at rapping Shakespeare in the movie includes many Prince song references.

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: Suzanne asks for a 5-letter Star Wars planet, as a clue in a crossword. They answer Endor, which is mistakenly thought of as an error. However, Endor is the name of the planet. What is typically referred to as "Endor" is actually the forest moon of Endor. Several characters in Return of the Jedi do say "Forest moon of Endor."

Quotes:

Imaginary William Shatner: I'm not really here. I'm one of the top ten imaginary friends kids have. Just behind John Travolta, Reggie Jackson, and Farrah Fawcett-Majors.

Movie Connections:

References "The Twilight Zone: To Serve Man (#3.24)" (1962)

Soundtrack:

Captured

A light romantic comedy that proves William Shatner can act

I stumbled across this movie on TV today and was really blown away. Who would have thought of a romantic comedy about two Trekkies(or Trekkers, not sure what the term is these days)? The movie appears to be at least somewhat autobiographical, and the story rings true.

Shatner comes through with the performance of a lifetime. His portrayal of himself is vulnerable and believable. His obsession with creating musical version of William Shakespeare's "Julius Caeser" is hilarious and it's really funny to see Shatner poking fun at himself.

All in all, this movie is surprisingly good and although really aimed at sci-fi fans, it is accessible to anyone. I highly recommend this lighthearted film.