Fool's Paradise
A down-on-his-luck publicist discovers a recently released mental health patient who looks just like a misbehaving movie star. The publicist subs him into a film, creating a new star. But fame and fortune are not all they are cracked up to be.
- Released: 2023-05-12
- Runtime: 97 minutes
- Genre: Comedy
- Stars: Kate Beckinsale, John Malkovich, Jason Sudeikis, Edie Falco, Jillian Bell, Adrien Brody, Ray Liotta, Ken Jeong, Dean Norris, Katherine McNamara, Jason Bateman, Common, Jimmi Simpson, Glenn Howerton, Charlie Day, Steve Coulter, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Artemis Pebdani, Drew Droege
- Director: Charlie Day
Comments
- dhbproductions - 21 April 2024
Overlooked, and missunderstood
I really enjoyed this movie, many of the reviews I have read that were negative I believe came from not fully understanding or appreciated what this movie was trying to do.
Quick plot: Charlie Day's character has a rare disorder that does not allow him to talk, and leaves him with a mind of a child. After the state refuses to fund his stay he is thrown out of the hospital and is forced to fend for himself. As luck would have it, a major Hollywood premadona actor dies. Before the studio is forced to shut down production of the movie with the now dead actor, the producer find's the homeless patient who just happens to look exactly like the dead actor. Thinking no one would know the difference the producer has the silent patient step into the dead actor's shoes. The story carries on with the rise and fall of the silent nameless patient.
Why do I think this movie is so good? It feels that it is a nod to the bygone days of the silent movie era, such greats as Chaplin and Buster Keaton. The way that Day manages to to make. Great performance with only his facial expression is fantastic, something that many actors forget these days. The camera work is fantastic, when Day is getting makeup done for the first time, you have this low to high camera shot with everyone swarming around the character and causes this uneasy claustrophobic feel, you can relate to how the character feels. The scenes where Day falls into the swimming pool, and he just sits there waiting for his hat to follow him down.
Is this movie for everyone? No, of course not, no movie is. I think this movie is more for people who like the older silent movies, people who have worked in the industry, and for those who like a change of humour. - zimbakin - 6 February 2024
Heart warming and funny
Screw the reviews. This movie was heartwarming and funny with some cool actors.
The storyline was captivating, seamlessly blending humor with touching moments. Performances by the talented cast elevated the film. The cinematography, lighting, and soundtrack added depth to the overall experience.
While some may nitpick, the charm and warmth of this movie make it a must-watch for anyone seeking a nice film with a few laughs. I enjoyed it thoroughly and would gladly recommend it to friends.
The character development was good and the pacing kept me engaged throughout. Overall, a delightful film that leaves a great impression. I will watch it again someday. - greglauer - 21 January 2024
A Quirky Parody of Hollywood as a Whole
If you're looking for Charlie Day to be his normal type of character, move on. This is a very quirky parody of Hollywood across all the generations wrapped in an absurdist wrapper. There are parts of this that feel like they should have been set in the 30's, parts in the 40's, and so on through the decades. But keeping them in the modern era is a brilliant way to tie the eras of Hollywood together. Charlie Day made brilliant choices in playing the main character as a kind of less frenetic mix of Harpo Marx and early Charlie Chaplin. And showing the meat grinder of Hollywood as Latte stumbles through life in a Gump-like way as people glom on, use him, and then abandon him...again, brilliant choices. Definitely worth a watch.
