A Futile and Stupid Gesture
Netflix | Release Date (Streaming): January 26, 2018 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
55
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews
Positive:
6
Mixed:
8
Negative:
1
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
60
SlateEllin SteinFeb 2, 2018
The ironic distancing makes it hard to get emotionally caught up in the sad story of Kenney’s self-destruction when the film enters "Leaving Las Vegas" territory. Read full review
60
The Hollywood ReporterLeslie FelperinJan 31, 2018
Perhaps fittingly given the downturn in the repetitive final act, over the long haul the joke starts getting old in every sense. Read full review
58
The A.V. ClubCharles BramescoJan 25, 2018
While pretty consistently amusing, the film still suffers from a chronic case of Wikipediitis, recreating Kenney’s bullet-point moments as substitution for original wit or drama. Read full review
50
RogerEbert.comBrian TallericoJan 26, 2018
While there’s a bit of hero worship going on that deflates the piece, and Wain’s direction is surprisingly uninspired, the biggest problem is the script that tries to cover too much ground but doesn’t really have that much to say as it does so. Read full review
50
ScreenCrushMatt SingerJan 26, 2018
There are some highlights — mostly the lead performances. Read full review
50
Los Angeles TimesRobert AbeleJan 25, 2018
Wry, head-shaking smiles at bad behavior are many — open laughter is lacking. Wain maintains a frenetic, near-vaudevillian pace, but this is a tribute flick that rejoices in anarchy and tastelessness without being exhilaratingly either thing itself. Read full review
50
IndieWireDavid EhrlichJan 24, 2018
Maybe this is exactly the biopic that Kenney would want, silly and bittersweet and laced with regret. Unfortunately, the film is just good enough to convince us that he deserved better. Read full review
40
The AtlanticDavid SimsJan 26, 2018
A Futile and Stupid Gesture feels like a quick tour of a man’s greatest hits that relies on his accomplishments, rather than any storytelling artistry, to impress the audience. Yes, Kenney was part of a turning point in American satire, but that alone doesn’t make for an interesting film. Read full review
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