Um Gesto Fútil e Estúpido (2018)

In the 1970s and '80s, National Lampoon's success and influence creates a new media empire overseen in part by the brilliant and troubled Douglas Kenney.

Director:

David Wain

Writers:

Michael Colton, John Aboud

Stars:

Frank Gingerich, Morgan Gingerich, Annette O'Toole

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Frank Gingerich	...	Doug - Age 12
Morgan Gingerich	...	Doug - Age 12
Annette O'Toole	...	Stephanie Kenney
Harry Groener	...	Harry Kenney
Martin Mull	...	Modern Doug
David Wain	...	Interviewer
Domhnall Gleeson	...	Henry Beard
Will Forte	...	Douglas Kenney
Ben F. Campbell	...	Harvard Jester (as Ben Campbell)
Jon Klaft	...	Preppy Student
Camille Guaty	...	Alex Garcia-Mata
Brad Morris	...	Peter Ivers
Carla Gallo	...	Lucy Fisher
Beau Bassewitz	...	Umpire
Rick Overton	...	First Publisher

Storyline

An old version of humorist Douglas Kenney tells the story of how he and Henry Beard parleyed their success in their campus magazine, Harvard Lampoon, into the commercial magazine, National Lampoon. Drawing upon their checkered lives and an aggressively puckish sense of humor, the pair created a publication that would redefine American comedy with outrageous drollery that grabbed the zeitgeist of the decade that expanded across various media. Unfortunately, for all his success, Doug Kenney with his overhanging insecurities, ego and irresponsible appetites began to consume him until he alienates everyone who ever cared and supported him even as they imitated him. In the end, this iconoclastic funnyman would come to a tragedy that comes when your comedy doesn't have enough distance.

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Plot Keywords:

writer | satirist | script writer | humorist | magazine | 

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Taglines:

If You Don't Watch This Movie, We'll Kill Will Forte.

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy

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Did You Know?

Trivia

David Wain the Director is also listed as "interviewer" on the cast list. When shooting the second movie Douglas sneaks himself into the set as an actor because "they wouldn't pay an author to be on set".

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Goofs

When Doug is driving a Jeep in Hawaii the Jeep has square headlights. These didn't appear on Jeeps until 1986. The scene is set in 1980.

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Quotes

Douglas Kenney: Fuck those guys, you know? They're just like my dad. They jerk off to Eisenhower biographies.
Henry Beard: Yes, but, and this is what I love about them, they have money.

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Crazy Credits

After the end credits have rolled, Martin Mull is shown singing the song "Time of My Life" with members of the cast.

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Connections

References Saturday Night Live: George Carlin/Billy Preston/Janis Ian (1975)

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Soundtracks

Doggone It
Written by Clarence Reid and Willie Clarke
Performed by J.P. Robinson
Courtesy of Henry Stone Music

User Reviews

Wonderful film

David Wain tells a true story in a creative way, creating the kind of the film his subject would have written, although a little sadder. Every actor does a superb job, Will Forte hits the perfect melancholic note. Dom Gleeson as usual is excellent. This is a wonderful tribute to Doug.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 January 2018 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

Um Gesto Fútil e Estúpido

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Artists First, Abominable Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.90 : 1