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Grassroots

  • 2012
  • R
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
Grassroots (2012)
After losing his job, a journalist reluctantly agrees to help his oddball friend with his bid to earn a seat on the Seattle City Council.
Play trailer2:27
3 Videos
11 Photos
ComedyDrama

After losing his job, a journalist reluctantly agrees to help his oddball friend with his bid to earn a seat on the Seattle City Council.After losing his job, a journalist reluctantly agrees to help his oddball friend with his bid to earn a seat on the Seattle City Council.After losing his job, a journalist reluctantly agrees to help his oddball friend with his bid to earn a seat on the Seattle City Council.

  • Director
    • Stephen Gyllenhaal
  • Writers
    • Phil Campbell
    • Stephen Gyllenhaal
    • Justin Rhodes
  • Stars
    • Jason Biggs
    • Joel David Moore
    • Lauren Ambrose
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.3/10
    1.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Stephen Gyllenhaal
    • Writers
      • Phil Campbell
      • Stephen Gyllenhaal
      • Justin Rhodes
    • Stars
      • Jason Biggs
      • Joel David Moore
      • Lauren Ambrose
    • 3User reviews
    • 31Critic reviews
    • 41Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos3

    Theatrical Version
    Trailer 2:27
    Theatrical Version
    Grassroots
    Trailer 2:29
    Grassroots
    Grassroots
    Trailer 2:29
    Grassroots
    Grassroots
    Featurette 1:53
    Grassroots

    Photos11

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    Top cast78

    Edit
    Jason Biggs
    Jason Biggs
    • Phil Campbell
    Joel David Moore
    Joel David Moore
    • Grant Cogswell
    Lauren Ambrose
    Lauren Ambrose
    • Emily Bowen
    Cobie Smulders
    Cobie Smulders
    • Clair
    Tom Arnold
    Tom Arnold
    • Tommy
    Todd Stashwick
    Todd Stashwick
    • Nick Ricochet
    D.C. Pierson
    D.C. Pierson
    • Wayne
    Emily Bergl
    Emily Bergl
    • Theresa Glendon
    Christopher McDonald
    Christopher McDonald
    • Jim Tripp
    Cedric The Entertainer
    Cedric The Entertainer
    • Richard McIver
    • (as Cedric the Entertainer)
    Michael Nardelli
    Michael Nardelli
    • Willis
    Noah Harpster
    Noah Harpster
    • Marvin
    Sean Nelson
    • Musician
    Joe Mandragona
    • Kevin
    Connie Thompson
    • Connie Thompson
    Sarah Harlett
    • Receptionist
    Claire Vardiel
    Claire Vardiel
    • Augusta D'Amico
    Branden Romans
    • Genzlinger
    • Director
      • Stephen Gyllenhaal
    • Writers
      • Phil Campbell
      • Stephen Gyllenhaal
      • Justin Rhodes
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews3

    5.31.1K
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    Featured reviews

    10audiacast

    Best Political Movie Ever!!

    I went to this movie thinking that it was going to see a serious political statement movie, but instead it was a really funny political comedy. I laugh my butt off. Jason Biggs and David Joel Moore are really really funny together. Im voting to see more movies with those two characters. Plus its a very interesting topic!! The casting all around was excellent. Cedric just rocked the house!! This movie was shot in Seattle, and they were able to capture the beauty and the root of what this town is all about. Go see it, its heart warming, funny and nevertheless provides an important message. The meaning of what Grassroots is all about, is delivered in this movie.
    5MartianOctocretr5

    Weak direction lacks intent

    One weakness of this film is that it lacks any enticement to draw you in to watch it. If the viewer gives it a chance, there is a modest amount of entertainment to be found, but don't expect to be blown away by its brilliance.

    The direction is weak, and shows little intent about why this story is being told. It's based on an actual city council campaign from a few years ago in Seattle (using the real names of the people), where an unknown challenges to unseat the incumbent with nothing but grassroots support. The film does not offer much reason to make anyone care about the characters. It paints them as childish and brash; the kind of losers that would be thrown out of a frat party for being too weird. The real people that the film is about were either pathetic, or the director has woefully overstated their negative traits. Not a good approach, even in a comedy.

    The acting is up to par, considering what the cast is given to work with. All too often, the director has them shouting f-bombs, apparently in the name of humor. The ending is glaringly predictable as to what the outcome will be, for the election result, as well as the side plots.

    Still, with all the directorial boo-boo's, the movie manages some elements of the whole "underdog makes an impact" routine. Taken at face value, it makes for mild entertainment.
    7GrammarMatters

    A real little movie with characters to care about

    It's not a huge budget movie, and that often bugs me - but the story is based on real events and I cared about the characters.

    I'm very surprised that the current rating for this movie is only 4.9. I wrote this review because I think the movie is definitely worth more than that. I think this movie is worth your time.

    I suspect that some of the low ratings come from those who don't like the grassroots politics ideas behind the movie, and the idea that even the poor deserve decent transit.

    All this being said, I'm not sure I like elevated transit systems, although using electricity is preferable to diesel buses.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In promotional YouTube videos you can see cameo appearances by Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, his spokesperson Aaron Pickus and Cary Moon, director of the People's Waterfront Coalition. Grant Cogswell wrote a feature-length story in the Seattle alt-weekly The Stranger about how McGinn, Pickus, Moon and many others were carrying his vision of a more equitable and sustainable transportation system. They are featured in a monorail scene and are sitting in the background, chatting with other passengers.
    • Connections
      References The Wizard of Oz (1939)
    • Soundtracks
      Long Line Of Cars
      Written by John McCrea

      Performed by Cake

      Courtesy of Columbia Records

      By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing

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    FAQ17

    • How long is Grassroots?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 9, 2012 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Sức Mạnh Tuổi Trẻ
    • Filming locations
      • Seattle, Washington, USA
    • Production companies
      • Votiv Films
      • MRB Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $12,356
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $6,497
      • Jun 24, 2012
    • Gross worldwide
      • $19,492
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 38 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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