The Finalist (II) (2011) User Reviews

Can't wait for his next film

[austinbrooks · 10/10 · 6 December 2011]

This was exactly what I needed when I saw it.

Mr. Mastroianni has done things differently over the years and here is another wonderful example of great film making.

Great story, great actors and a great director make a great film.

Not to mention I laughed pretty hard as well.

I am really looking forward to Armand's next project as is my wife (who is Italian). She went to Italy this summer to see family and told me so many stories that reminded me of scenes from The Finalist.

Great job Mr. Mastoianni!

Keep up the excellent work!!!!

Great movie!

[rocky_m_2002 · 10/10 · 10 November 2011]

Great movie! It really caught my attention and the actors were believable. Great movie! It really caught my attention and the actors were believable.Great movie! It really caught my attention and the actors were believable.Great movie! It really caught my attention and the actors were believable.Great movie! It really caught my attention and the actors were believable.Great movie! It really caught my attention and the actors were believable.Great movie! It really caught my attention and the actors were believable.Great movie! It really caught my attention and the actors were believable.Great movie! It really caught my attention and the actors were believable.

A terrific little film

[crcentertainment-1 · 10/10 · 15 November 2011]

I thoroughly enjoyed the film. It was very funny and had a twist ending that knocks your socks off. Armand did a great job directing and the cast was wonderful. Congratulations to everyone involved in the film. I hope you go far in the festivals.

As an actor, I felt like things were going to end up like the film did and I have a few times that I wish it had ended like that. Definitively worth seeing if you have the opportunity.

Great Job! and I hope good things come from it.

I thoroughly enjoyed the film. It was very funny and had a twist ending that knocks your socks off. Armand did a great job directing and the cast was wonderful. Congratulations to everyone involved in the film. I hope you go far in the festivals.

As an actor, I felt like things were going to end up like the film did and I have a few times that I wish it had ended like that. Definitively worth seeing if you have the opportunity.

Great Job! and I hope good things come from it.

The real tough part of an actor's life

[DaleSchneck · 10/10 · 15 November 2011]

Seldom do we see the process...the process actors must go through before they land a part. In this case, it's a star-maker role with an important director. Casting has narrowed down the candidates to a final four, but who will be "The Finalist"? The brilliance of this short film is that we're never sure where it's really going. A solid, home-made Italian meal might be considered foreshadowing, in a sense, but ultimately adds to the growing tension between the actors who, despite this opportunity for professional camaraderie, hunger to get the call that gets them the life-changing part.

The genius of "The Finalist" is in the clues beautifully planted throughout its short running time. It's a mini-masterpiece that will trigger further reflection and dissection long after the shocking final scenes.

Not retakes.

[ccanole · 10/10 · 15 November 2011]

Every wonder how it must have been for Tom Hanks to audition for his first role with a director known for dark humor about human nature? That director, Armand Mastroainni, who discovered Hanks amongst other noted actors, now gives us insight into his Italian heritage as a movie maker, staged with four actors vying for the role of a "lifetime". Like a foursome planning a "hit" these actors bring us into their cutthroat world. Every laugh is like standing on a street corner in Little Italy watching what you know is not just guys joking around. When reality hits… you know you are going to watch this short film again and again to pick up the clues you missed the first time around. But you may be too late…this director doesn't do second takes.

Spectacular short

[logan-sammons · 10/10 · 10 November 2011]

The Finalist demands your attention by setting the tone with a unique intro that keeps you wondering what will unfold. Ben Gavin, Paul Elia, Chris Muto, and Adrian Geata deliver their lines brilliantly and feed of each others characters which brings this film alive. Another impressive aspect of The Finalist was the gun shot to Dylans (Ben Gavin's) head, it was made wonderfully. The Finalist gives you an insight to the life of an actor and what an actual audition might look like, then throws you for a crazy twist. I really enjoyed when Martin Benetti (Chris Muto) returned to the room with a real gun.Dylan was very entertaining to watch he is that prick that picks up every girl you wish you could and knows he can do it. His character was written and executed beautifully. Last but certainly not least the directing from Armand Mastroianni allows for the true performance of the actors to come to life.

Hilarious!

[sweetitalianla · 10/10 · 15 November 2011]

I got to see this short in Los Angeles and thought it was absolutely clever and hilarious. The story captures a comical view of the pressure an actor experiences when making it to a final call back for a very high profile job. The casting couldn't of been more perfect. Each actor brought a three-dimensional view to their characters wonderfully. This is definitely a challenge to do within a short film and it couldn't of been as apparent if it wasn't for the director, Armand Mastroianni. He tells the story with the perfect balance of humorous subtlety to over the top laughter allowing the performances to flourish with the proper amount of slice of life humor to over the top comedy.

As mentioned, the performances are all exceptional. Especially Chris Muto. This actor demonstrates talent and the camera picks up on him beautifully.

Well done!

4 actors wait for a director to decide their fate

[bayrdge · 10/10 · 12 November 2011]

Hilarious inside view of the agony actors go through in the casting process by very talented veteran director Armand Mastroianni. Great looking short movie; looks like a big budget project. Mind blowing twist at the end. Nice ensemble cast consisting of Chris Muto, Paul Elia, Adrian Gaeta, and Ben Gavin work well together as competitive actors who try to bond as they wait for a fateful phone call... only one of them will get the role they have been called back for five times each. Anybody's who's ever gone on an audition will appreciate the casting scene which made me laugh out loud. This will surely be a festival favorite, check it out!