A Bunch of Amateurs (2008)

Director:

Andy Cadiff

Writers:

Nick Newman (screenplay) &
John Ross (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

2009 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

They wished for a star, then wished they hadn't.

Plot:

A sleazy Hollywood agent tricks one of his clients, a faded action star, into playing King Lear in an amateur charity production in England. |

Cast

Burt Reynolds	...	Jefferson Steel
Alexandra Weaver	...	Girl on Motorbike
Elesia Ennis	...	1st Cinema Girl
Sarah Goldberg	...	2nd Cinema Girl
Glynis Brooks	...	Woman In Street
Camilla Arfwedson	...	Amanda Blacke
Michael Wildman	...	Mr. Darcy
Guy Flanagan	...	Box Office Guy
John Moraitis	...	Man In Theatre
Pat Starr	...	Woman In Theatre
Maisie Scott	...	Young Amanda
Charles Durning	...	Charlie Rosenberg
Pandora Colin	...	Nadine
Lucy Akhurst	...	Stewardess
Stephen Gressieux	...	Italian Tourist (as Stefano Gressieux)

Runtime:

UK:96 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

Ireland:15A | Singapore:PG | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Hambleden, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Company:

CinemaNX

Trivia:

The cast of King Lear seen at the curtain call in the film actually performed two productions for charity, parts of which were filmed and used in the final cut. A number of stage actors cast for the charity production can be seen in the background as extras during certain scenes of the in-film performance and when the final bow is taken.

A good movie, worth a couple of hours of my life

I don't go to the movies very often - in fact I can't remember the last time - but this was on offer and I'm very glad that I took it up. I have always liked Burt Reynolds, particularly Evening Shade, and I adore Charles Durning, so I squeaked a bit when the names came up at the start. It's a gentle mickey-take of English village life, English country types and the ageing movie start grasping at straws to redeem himself before it's too late. Beautifully shot - I don't care where - in British Countryside with cottages to die for, clear complexions and charming pigs, it is funny, engaging (by the yardstick I judge any film or programme - do I care if they all live or die; the answer in this case, is obviously "yes"). The characters are all wonderfully drawn and the story bowls along at a comfortable pace, witty, pretty and a damn good night's entertainment. I enjoyed an ice cream at the interval, but I shall buy it on DVD.