Kicking and Screaming (1995)

A bunch of guys hang around their college for months after graduation, continuing a life much like the one before graduation.

Director:

Noah Baumbach

Writers:

Noah Baumbach (story), Bo Berkman (story) (as Oliver Berkman)

Stars:

Josh Hamilton, Eric Stoltz, Samuel Gould

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Josh Hamilton	...	Grover
Samuel Gould	...	Pete (as Sam Gould)
Catherine Kellner	...	Gail
Jonathan Baumbach	...	Professor
John Lehr	...	Louis
Olivia d'Abo	...	Jane
Peter Czernin	...	Lester
Carlos Jacott	...	Otis
Chris Eigeman	...	Max
Eric Stoltz	...	Chet
Eliza Roberts	...	Josselyn
Jason Wiles	...	Skippy
Parker Posey	...	Miami
Christopher Reed	...	Friedrich (as Chris Reed)
Noah Baumbach	...	Danny

Storyline

After college graduation, Grover's girlfriend Jane tells him she's moving to Prague to study writing. Grover declines to accompany her, deciding instead to move in with several friends, all of whom can't quite work up the inertia to escape their university's pull. Nobody wants to make any big decisions that would radically alter his life, yet none of them wants to end up like Chet, the professional student who tends bar and is in his tenth year of university studies.

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Plot Keywords:

female stockinged legs | pantyhose | slacker | beer drinking | independent film | 

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Taglines:

Anxiety loves company.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language, and some sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to Noah Baumbach at the Lincoln Center anniversary screening, there was another actor scheduled to play the lead role who dropped out at the last minute, prompting Tri-Mark to tell Baumnbach to "find a star" or they'd cancel the movie. He quickly faxed his good friend Eric Stolz, who was filming Rob Roy (1995) in Scotland, and got him to sign on to the movie even though there was no character written for him. They created the character of Chet together, doing a lot of improvisation, in particular the famous "book club" scene.

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Goofs

At the airport, when Grover says, "Shit, I wish I hadn't seen that", his mark is clearly visible on the floor when he walks away.

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Quotes

Otis: Cool! A dictionary! I'm gonna look up blowjob.

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Connections

References The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988)

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Soundtracks

Shoot Your Way to Freedom
Written by Grant Hart
Performed by Nova Mob
Courtesy of Restless Records
By arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

Hilarious, fantastic portrayal of disaffected college grads

If I had to pick one movie that I was forced to watch again and again, it may be this one. Not that this is Citizen Kane or The Godfather, it's just that it speaks to me. Never has anyone dealt with disaffection in such a witty manner. Every character has something to say on the subject, and it's hysterical. I really GET all of the characters, even if I can't identify with some of them. None of the actors appear to be TRYING, which most seem to do in films of this genre. Josh Hamilton's portrayal of Grover is subtle but outstanding. Olivia d'Abo is radiant, and (retainer and all), I can't take my eyes off of her. Chris Eigeman steals every scene he's in, as usual, and missed his calling as a stand-up comedian - he's that funny. Baumbach's use of flashbacks is one of the most effective I've ever seen, and the transitions to flashbacks look amazing. And finally, this movie is infinitely quotable. "Cookie Man, go away", "I gotta go - I gotta sleep with a freshman", "Jane 2: Electric Boogaloo?", and "Oh, I've been to Prague" still crack me up after 20 or 30 viewings of this film (need the DVD to come out before my tape wears out).

So I can't say enough about this film. If you haven't seen it, go buy it.

P.S. What happened to Noah Baumbach? Sophomore and Junior jinxes with his two follow-ups. Bad movies. Oh well, "Kicking and Screaming" more than makes up for them.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 October 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kicking and Screaming

Filming Locations:

Occidental College - 1600 Campus Road, Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$19,497, 8 October 1995

Gross USA:

$718,490

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$718,490

Company Credits

Production Co:

Trimark Pictures, Castleberg Productions, Sandollar Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1