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2081

  • 20092009
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 25m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
2.6K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
33,707
5,079
2081 (2009)
Based on the short story "Harrison Bergeron" by celebrated author Kurt Vonnegut, "2081" depicts a dystopian future in which, thanks to the 212th Amendment to the Constitution and the unceasing vigilance of the United States Handicapper General, everyone is "finally equal...." The strong wear weights, the beautiful wear masks and the intelligent wear earpieces that fire off loud noises to keep them from taking unfair advantage of their brains. It is a poetic tale of triumph and tragedy about a broken family, a brutal government, and an act of defiance that changes everything.

Featuring an original score performed by the world-renowned Kronos Quartet (Requiem for a Dream) and narration by Academy Award Nominee Patricia Clarkson (Far From Heaven, Goodnight and Good Luck), "2081" stars James Cosmo (Braveheart, Trainspotting), Julie Hagerty (Airplane!, What About Bob?) and Armie Hammer (The Social Network).
Play trailer2:35
1 Video
15 Photos
ShortActionSci-Fi
A short film adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron, 2081 depicts a dystopian future in which, thanks to the 212th Amendment to the Constitution and the unceasing vigilance of the U... Read allA short film adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron, 2081 depicts a dystopian future in which, thanks to the 212th Amendment to the Constitution and the unceasing vigilance of the United States Handicapper General, everyone is "finally equal...." The strong wear weights,... Read allA short film adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron, 2081 depicts a dystopian future in which, thanks to the 212th Amendment to the Constitution and the unceasing vigilance of the United States Handicapper General, everyone is "finally equal...." The strong wear weights, the beautiful wear masks and the intelligent wear earpieces that fire off loud noises to ... Read all
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
2.6K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
33,707
5,079
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Chandler Tuttle
    • Writers
      • Chandler Tuttle(screenplay)
      • Kurt Vonnegut Jr.(based on the short story "Harrison Bergeron" by)
    • Stars
      • James Cosmo
      • Julie Hagerty
      • Armie Hammer
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Chandler Tuttle
    • Writers
      • Chandler Tuttle(screenplay)
      • Kurt Vonnegut Jr.(based on the short story "Harrison Bergeron" by)
    • Stars
      • James Cosmo
      • Julie Hagerty
      • Armie Hammer
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 14User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews

    Videos1

    2081 Trailer
    Trailer 2:35
    2081 Trailer

    Photos15

    2081 (2009)
    James Cosmo in 2081 (2009)
    Julie Hagerty in 2081 (2009)
    2081 (2009)
    James Cosmo in 2081 (2009)
    Beckie King and Armie Hammer in 2081 (2009)
    Armie Hammer in 2081 (2009)
    Beckie King and Armie Hammer in 2081 (2009)
    Armie Hammer in 2081 (2009)
    2081 (2009)
    2081 (2009)
    2081 (2009)

    Top cast

    Edit
    James Cosmo
    James Cosmo
    • George Bergeron
    Julie Hagerty
    Julie Hagerty
    • Hazel Bergeron
    Armie Hammer
    Armie Hammer
    • Harrison Bergeron
    Patricia Clarkson
    Patricia Clarkson
    • Narrator
    • (voice)
    Tammy Bruce
    Tammy Bruce
    • Handicapper General
    James C. Burns
    James C. Burns
    • Lead HG Man
    • (as James Burns)
    Yuris Skujins
    • Stuttering TV Anchor
    David Healy
    • Replacement TV Anchor
    Alina Faye
    • Lead Ballerina
    Beckie King
    Beckie King
    • 'Prima' Ballerina
    • (as Becky King)
    Ira Gold
    • Lead Usher
    Florian Kashani
    • Lead Security Guard
    David Conner
    • Solo Cellist
    Thor Halvorssen
    Thor Halvorssen
    • Bomb Specialist
    Kareem Ferguson
    Kareem Ferguson
    • Bomb Specialist
    Brianna Haynes
    • Additional Ballerina
    Chelsea Hackett
    • Additional Ballerina
    • (as Chelsea Hacket)
    Heather Langham
    • Additional Ballerina
    • Director
      • Chandler Tuttle
    • Writers
      • Chandler Tuttle(screenplay)
      • Kurt Vonnegut Jr.(based on the short story "Harrison Bergeron" by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    7.5
    Harrison Bergeron
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    Blackout
    5.0
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    Home Shopper
    7.1
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    The Last Hurrah
    6.6
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    7.2
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    6.5
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Given the enormity of the theater house, the filmmakers used inflatable extras for the crowd.
    • Quotes

      Harrison Bergeron: They had hoped to destroy any trace of the extraordinary in me, and in time I came to share that hope. But the extraordinary, it seems, was simply out of their reach.

    • Connections
      Version of Between Time and Timbuktu (1972)

    User reviews14

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    5/10
    Not nearly as good as the short story
    A bit ago, I read the short story Harrison Bergeron. Good commentary on government, felt a bit angsty, good but not Vonnegut's best story. 8/10, easy.

    When you're making a movie based on some sort of successful source material, there are certain questions you must ask yourself. Sometimes, it's not whether you can, but whether you should.

    2081 should've been perfect, I'll give it that. I appreciate whoever made this movie for trying so hard, and getting so many others who were also willing to try very hard. I believe that with that kind of work ethic, you can go somewhere.

    But when we look at the actual movie, we run into a bit into a bit of a problem, and you don't have to be a detective to notice it. Namely, that the concept is...kind of boring, honestly.

    Kurt Vonnegut has never really gotten a good movie adaption, and I think I've run into the reason why. His concepts are just sort of ok. As much as I like his work, and I like the work of whoever made the movie, the film adaptions will always be hindered by the concepts.

    The reason the stories worked so well is because of the way Vonnegut wrote them. If something wasn't as amazing or awe-inspiring or bleak as he wanted it to be, he could write it so that it was where he wanted it to be. Directors don't get that luxury.

    My point is this: no matter how much work you put into it, this mediocre movie is as good as Kurt Vonnegut movie adaptions will ever be. Stop making them, and let the stories stand for themselves.
    helpful•1
    0
    • leahcsykes
    • Dec 8, 2020

    FAQ1

    • Is this short movie based on a novel?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 29, 2009 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Production company
      • Moving Picture Institute
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      25 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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