A Futile and Stupid Gesture

Netflix | Release Date (Streaming): January 26, 2018

6.6	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 30 Ratings

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User Reviews

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ScraperJan 27, 2018

A fair retelling of the Doug Kenney story. You won't get encyclopedic details on his life but enough to let you know how influential this guy was. I think it nails the fact that sarcasm was just a way of life. The impersonations of the famousA fair retelling of the Doug Kenney story. You won't get encyclopedic details on his life but enough to let you know how influential this guy was. I think it nails the fact that sarcasm was just a way of life. The impersonations of the famous people that grew out of this scene were terrific frankly.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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Moose3208Jan 28, 2018

This film hit me straight in the heart and the funny bone. Creative retelling of Doug Kenney, whom I really didn’t know, and now understand not only a piece of who he was but so many things I have to be thankful for. The directions wasThis film hit me straight in the heart and the funny bone. Creative retelling of Doug Kenney, whom I really didn’t know, and now understand not only a piece of who he was but so many things I have to be thankful for. The directions was inventive, the writing original and the production beautiful. I took a point away for the wigs. The wigs were terrible.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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dangerfarJan 26, 2018

Sharp and quippy, AFASG rides the rails of an interesting life as it helped wind up the American Lampoonery that would drive much of comedy for the next several decades. It's best comedic moments come as a product of quick-witted banterSharp and quippy, AFASG rides the rails of an interesting life as it helped wind up the American Lampoonery that would drive much of comedy for the next several decades. It's best comedic moments come as a product of quick-witted banter delivered with perfect deadpan panache by Forte. An array of present stars playing older stars is fun to watch, and the directorial style and cadence manages to be both novel and familiar at the same time. Its moments of levity are better than its moments of weight, where it sometimes falters under a familiar and probably heavily pushed downward spiral. And we've seen this arc before. We've seen funny and charming protagonists suffer under the weight of their own egos on drugs in the 70s, and we've seen successful individuals tortured by being the wrong sibling and never feeling as though they live up to their parents' expectations. But, well, it's of course fitting in this case (at least the drug-fueled self-berating part seems confirmed), and was indeed an oft-repeating tale. "The happiest days I've ever ignored" makes for a fitting punchline to a comedic tragedy such a this, a reminder of our frequent insistence on depression and self-destruction in the face of beauty and joy. I didn't know much about Kenny prior to watching this movie, and after watching it I can't help feeling like from what I saw it's the kind of movie he would want to have made about himself. Irreverent, cheeky, and fun, with the man who took everything and nothing far too seriously at the center. A futile and stupid gesture maybe, but an amusing one, and sometimes that's all we really need.… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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Daniel_CampbellJan 29, 2018

Fun, stupid, boobs, farts, butt stuff, awesome. What more needs to be said?

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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LegendaryLassDec 14, 2018

As with most founders of counter-cultures, Kenney is a largely unknown figure these days. And seemingly, the film posits, with good reason. Kenney is played unlikable, sarcastic, erratic and extremely unsympathetic... which is apparentlyAs with most founders of counter-cultures, Kenney is a largely unknown figure these days. And seemingly, the film posits, with good reason. Kenney is played unlikable, sarcastic, erratic and extremely unsympathetic... which is apparently quite true to life. If it weren't so light on legitimate laughs, it may be worthy of the original Lampoon.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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NShep53Feb 23, 2018

A movie I was expecting to just be a slapstick cameo fest is actually a really funny but also surprisingly dramatic and heartfelt. It is an amazing film. Will Forte is great here, as is all the other actors playing their respective roles. ByA movie I was expecting to just be a slapstick cameo fest is actually a really funny but also surprisingly dramatic and heartfelt. It is an amazing film. Will Forte is great here, as is all the other actors playing their respective roles. By the end, you truly feel like you know the man that is Doug Kenney.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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VadertimeAug 14, 2018

I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did, but it was extremely entertaining and educational in filling in the blanks regarding the origins of National Lampoon. Sad ending, but still a poignant story. Definitely take the time to see it.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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geewahJan 8, 2021

A funny and twisted comedy that does a decent job of trying too stay true to the National Lampoons stylings.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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DGOexpatJan 4, 2023

Forte and the other leads are excellent, and the directing and pacing are very good. Lampoonable/Lampooning praise: "The film is a surprisingly poignant reminder of the humanity, the dignity, and yes, the necessity of courageously irreverentForte and the other leads are excellent, and the directing and pacing are very good. Lampoonable/Lampooning praise: "The film is a surprisingly poignant reminder of the humanity, the dignity, and yes, the necessity of courageously irreverent humor in a world gone mad."… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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