Tony Keats
13-11-2001, 19:35
Here's my (overlong?!) review of FGF:-
At the time of writing, the IMDB rating for this movie is a staggeringly poor 3.7 (bad!). I'd say that figure is likely to get even worse after viewing the content....
Considering the widespread negativity, the relatively quiet release and my comments above, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Freddy Got Fingered is a completely hopeless entity. In actual fact, nothing could be further from the truth! The only serious problem with the film is the sheer "unmarketability" of it.
Green directed the film himself and although that sounds like a bad idea, all it really means in practice is that you get an undiluted performance from him. It's obvious that no restrictions were placed on his shoulders and some of the scenes in this film are lucky to make an R-rating (never mind the PG-13 level that most films of this type hope to achieve). I'd go as far as to say that some of this movie is genuinely disgusting (disrespect to a deceased moose, flying entrails etc) and that's the main reasoning behind most of the IMDB contributors input.
The plot is fairly standard stuff, a down-on-his-luck guy (28yrs old and still living at home in this case) is trying to better himself and achieve a lofty goal (he wants to be a professional animator). It doesn't pay to get too hung up on the storyline though and the free-wheeling approach applied here means that the story is just one of many stooges in a gross-out, half-crazed parade of silliness.
It's very funny in places too, albeit in a "you can't do that in a mainstream flick!" kind of a way. The emphasis is definitely on the IN PLACES part of that sentence though and there are a few scenes which feel a bit amateurish and decidedly off-track. The low-points would have probably been okay with a more experienced filmmaker, but Green does hang himself out to dry on a couple of occasions (though he'd probably claim that he did it on purpose!).
I was equally entertained and confused by it TBH, but the quirky tone will definitely put most people off. Basically, the bizzare elements aren't used sparingly enough to be shocking all the way through and numbness sets in before the 60 minute mark. Being battered into submision by a comedy is an unusual experience for me though and sporadic normality would have elevated this release no-end.
What's so unmarketable about another gross-out comedy? (I don't hear you ask!). Well mainly that it's NOT one. It isn't a humorous film with some brief OTT moments for contrast, it's a consistently bizarre procession of incidents with an overbearingly mean-spirited tone. So why not promote it as an absolute gross-fest then? (still can't hear you!). It's not quite horrible enough to be "nasty" and has several (light-hearted) modern comedy cliches that make it far too palatable for a truly underground audience.
The sleeve of the DVD tackles the promo issue brilliantly by listing some quotes from critics and dividing them into good & bad. The 'good' page has just one quote which reads "Tom Green is an artist", wheras the 'bad' one has nine scathing attacks! including "Tragically awful", "Appalling" and the rather tactful "Stay Away!!". This is the kind of self-deprecating approach that could eventually win-over many open-minded detractors (staunch IMDB crowd excepted).
The soundtrack is a beauty whatever your prejudice though (and probably cost them a bomb!). Featuring esteemed artists such as The Sex Pistols, Green Day, Gary Numan(!) and many others. I was surprised by the quality of the songs on offer (considering the reputation of the film) and even if you absolutely hate the feature itself, it'll still be fairly tolerable because of the 5.1 audio track (assuming you have some taste of course!).
Anyway, in summary (I CAN hear your sigh of relief!). This is a fresh and interesting movie, which although not well structured or sufficiently coherent is nonetheless worth seeing. The DVD is full of great features and commentaries too, so it would certainly be worth satisfying your curiosity with a purchase!.
At the time of writing, the IMDB rating for this movie is a staggeringly poor 3.7 (bad!). I'd say that figure is likely to get even worse after viewing the content....
Considering the widespread negativity, the relatively quiet release and my comments above, you'd be forgiven for thinking that Freddy Got Fingered is a completely hopeless entity. In actual fact, nothing could be further from the truth! The only serious problem with the film is the sheer "unmarketability" of it.
Green directed the film himself and although that sounds like a bad idea, all it really means in practice is that you get an undiluted performance from him. It's obvious that no restrictions were placed on his shoulders and some of the scenes in this film are lucky to make an R-rating (never mind the PG-13 level that most films of this type hope to achieve). I'd go as far as to say that some of this movie is genuinely disgusting (disrespect to a deceased moose, flying entrails etc) and that's the main reasoning behind most of the IMDB contributors input.
The plot is fairly standard stuff, a down-on-his-luck guy (28yrs old and still living at home in this case) is trying to better himself and achieve a lofty goal (he wants to be a professional animator). It doesn't pay to get too hung up on the storyline though and the free-wheeling approach applied here means that the story is just one of many stooges in a gross-out, half-crazed parade of silliness.
It's very funny in places too, albeit in a "you can't do that in a mainstream flick!" kind of a way. The emphasis is definitely on the IN PLACES part of that sentence though and there are a few scenes which feel a bit amateurish and decidedly off-track. The low-points would have probably been okay with a more experienced filmmaker, but Green does hang himself out to dry on a couple of occasions (though he'd probably claim that he did it on purpose!).
I was equally entertained and confused by it TBH, but the quirky tone will definitely put most people off. Basically, the bizzare elements aren't used sparingly enough to be shocking all the way through and numbness sets in before the 60 minute mark. Being battered into submision by a comedy is an unusual experience for me though and sporadic normality would have elevated this release no-end.
What's so unmarketable about another gross-out comedy? (I don't hear you ask!). Well mainly that it's NOT one. It isn't a humorous film with some brief OTT moments for contrast, it's a consistently bizarre procession of incidents with an overbearingly mean-spirited tone. So why not promote it as an absolute gross-fest then? (still can't hear you!). It's not quite horrible enough to be "nasty" and has several (light-hearted) modern comedy cliches that make it far too palatable for a truly underground audience.
The sleeve of the DVD tackles the promo issue brilliantly by listing some quotes from critics and dividing them into good & bad. The 'good' page has just one quote which reads "Tom Green is an artist", wheras the 'bad' one has nine scathing attacks! including "Tragically awful", "Appalling" and the rather tactful "Stay Away!!". This is the kind of self-deprecating approach that could eventually win-over many open-minded detractors (staunch IMDB crowd excepted).
The soundtrack is a beauty whatever your prejudice though (and probably cost them a bomb!). Featuring esteemed artists such as The Sex Pistols, Green Day, Gary Numan(!) and many others. I was surprised by the quality of the songs on offer (considering the reputation of the film) and even if you absolutely hate the feature itself, it'll still be fairly tolerable because of the 5.1 audio track (assuming you have some taste of course!).
Anyway, in summary (I CAN hear your sigh of relief!). This is a fresh and interesting movie, which although not well structured or sufficiently coherent is nonetheless worth seeing. The DVD is full of great features and commentaries too, so it would certainly be worth satisfying your curiosity with a purchase!.