The Film-Mongers

Author(s): Al
Location: NY

“The Film-Mongers"

Directed by: James L. Brooks
Written by: Jason Reitman

Principal Cast:

Nathan Burke: Philip Seymour Hoffman
Harry Brackells: Don Cheadle
Kate Walker: Zooey Deschanel
Sally Brightman: Kristin Chenoweth
Dave Nichols: John C. Reilly
Anne Burke: Cloris Leachman
James Burke: Alan Arkin
Francis Fotros: Kurt Russell
Nora Nichols: Melora Hardin
Mark Walker: David Koechner
Jackson Morton: Paul Walker

Tagline: “Everyone's a critic. But these guys know how it's done"

Synopsis: Nathan Burke is quite possibly one of the most famous film critics in the country. But boy, has he got problems. Relentless advertising exec Harry Brackells is desperately hounding Nathan to give awards buzz to "Dandelion", the new Oscar bait by quirky director Francis Fotros. He's locked in a constant battle to put his malcontent parents in an assisted living home. And he's fallen into a May-September romance with Kate Foley, the liberal, vegan movie critic from the local independent newspaper. But Nathan is still "technically" with Sally Brightman, the hard-right conservative Christian who writes "family-oriented" reviews for her website. Sally is cheating on her deadbeat husband Mark just to be with Nathan. When she finds out that he's moved on, she feels jilted and wages absolute war on him. An exhausted Nathan gives in and reluctantly accepts a bribe from Brackells. This pits him against his best friend and fellow critic Dave, who feels that Nathan betrayed him. Meanwhile, Kate and Nathan find that they just don't seem to fit into each other's worlds. And as "Dandelion" premieres, Kate is tempted by her ex-boyfriend Jackson, and Nathan has to deal with his newfound lack of credibility in the film world. Can Nathan reconstruct his life before the credits roll?

What the press would say:

There isn't enough I can say about "The Film-Mongers". Nothing I can say will do it justice. The comedic brilliance of all the actors involved and the skill of screenwriter Jason Reitman and famed director James L.Brooks propel this dramedy to great heights. Phillip Seymour Hoffman plays a disillusioned film critic, and this performance should finally put him into the mainstream. He has real comedic talent, and it shines through here. I also loved Zooey Deschanel as the quiet, liberal film critic who Nathan falls for. Finally, she has graduated into lead roles in big pictures, and we welcome her with open arms. She really knows when to be serious in this movie, and when to be funny, a tough balance to strike with dramedy. Alan Arkin and Cloris Leachman are both laugh-out-loud brilliant as Nathan's cantankerous old parents who resist any attempts to be "institutionalized". John C. Reilly is also good as Nathan's best friend, facing the aftermath of a homophobic comment while reviewing a movie about a gay romance. Melora Hardin, fresh from "The Office", is also good as his uptight wife. Kurt Russell is great as the semi-insane director of "Dandelion", and so is Don Cheadle as the press agent hounding Nathan about the movie. This is the first time Cheadle has tried a comedic role, and it works very well. I liked the fit, though some may not. Of course, how could I forget Kristin Chenoweth? As the far-right movie critic who doesn't practice what she preaches, she makes her scenes sparkle. She parlays her character's jealous rage into small, controlled, passive-aggressive outbursts that are hilarious. David Koechner also adds some (at times much-needed) comic relief as her deadbeat husband. All in all, this is an entertaining but insightful film (James L. Brooks' hallmark) that will have you walking out of the theater satisfied. I promise.

Best Picture (AMPAS)
Best Picture- Musical or Comedy (HFPA)
Best Ensemble Cast (SAG)
Best Director: James L. Brooks
Best Actor: Philip Seymour Hoffman
Best Actress: Zooey Deschanel
Best Supp. Actor: Don Cheadle
Best Supp. Actor: John C. Reilly
Best Supp. Actor: Alan Arkin
Best Supp. Actress: Kristin Chenoweth
Best Supp. Actress: Cloris Leachman
Best Original Screenplay: Jason Reitman