Free Enterprise (1998)

Two less than successful film producers, approaching mid-life crisis and clinging to their nerdy sci-fi obsessions, suddenly meet their idol: William Shatner.

Director:

Robert Meyer Burnett

Writers:

Mark A. Altman, Robert Meyer Burnett

Stars:

Eric McCormack, Carl Bressler, Rafer Weigel

4 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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 Sommerfeld	...	Tricia (as Jennifer Sommerfield)
Tricia Cruz	...	Mexican Waitress (as Letricia Cruz)
Annika Brindley	...	Astrid
William Shatner	...	Bill
Michael Altman	...	Eden Waiter

Storyline

Young filmmakers (Rafer Weigel, Eric McCormack) trying to hawk a movie titled "Bradykillers" about a serial killer who goes after victims Marcia, Jan, and Cindy meet their screen idol, William Shatner. Shatner, appearing as himself, has fun poking fun at his own image. The two young men, who idolize him and in their fantasies have seen him as a shadowy fairy godfather figure, are alarmed at the reality of the middle-aged non-Captain Kirk man that they meet. However, their relationship helps anchor the two more into reality.

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Plot Keywords:

satire | x men | answering machine | ménage à trois | actor playing himself | 

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Taglines:

The Shat hits the fan

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexuality and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 June 1999 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$13,086 (USA) (4 June 1999)

Gross:

$30,193 (USA) (25 June 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mindfire Entertainment, Triad Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min 121 min (extended)

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

William Shatner wears the bomber jacket and flight cap he wore as the U.S. Air Force colonel from _"Twelve O'Clock High" (1964)_ after overhearing Mark and Robert's discussion about him.

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Goofs

The movie takes place in 1998 just before Mark's 30th birthday party, putting his birthday in 1968. However, in the flashback scene of Mark trying to get into Star Trek: The Motion Picture Mark says his age is 12 when asked by the women in the ticket stand, despite the fact that Star Trek: The Motion Picture was released in 1979 and the movie itself says 19 years earlier. This would make Mark already 30 by the time the film is taking place in 1998.

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Quotes

Robert: Joy unto you, peace and serenity, you are not of the body, would you calm the fuck down already?

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Crazy Credits

Man with the Midas Touch Auric Goldfinger

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Connections

Spoofs Swingers (1996)

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Soundtracks

"Nowhere"
Written by Julee Cruise and Khan
Performed by Khan featuring Julee Cruise
Artist Courtesy of Matador Records

User Reviews

LOVED IT

Yes,its true,fans of the "classic"Star Trek will like this more than others and to those others,I'm sorry for you. William Shatner is no one without the series,and is really the issue of the movie.Yes the story revolves around coming of age and getting on with their life of 2 fanboys,but the Shatner hook is that realization and fluition. The scene that does the most for me was a table discussion that raises to the almost super insperational speech that Kirk gives on why there is an Enterprise and they sail aboard her. A truly great reminder of why we fans got hooked on that series so many light years ago. Yes it was a parady,but not all paradys are jokes and if you are into the movie you'll see the context was every bit as compelling as the episode scene it paradies. I am a fan for sure and so to me it was grand and I'm thankful I found this flick