Review of A Futile and Stupid Gesture (2018) by Justin C — 27 Jan 2018

All you need to do is look at the drastic difference in ratings between and audience here to understand this movie. Critics rate it on its merits as an inspiring and character analyzing biopic, while the audience views it in much the same manner as one would watch Caddyshavk or Animal House - riding along for the laughs while not even attempting to take it too "seriously." This movie was never meant to be "critiqued," but rather enjoyed.

The film clearly goes out of its way to tell Doug Kenney's life story in the same vein as his hit comedies, and does a wonderful job of it.

If you're looking for an in-depth study of the man's life, character and a nuanced telling of his tortured-soul tale and his subversive humor with everything in between, look elsewhere. If instead you'd like to witness the story of the man's journey told with a best-guess of how Kenney might've laid it out himself, you're right where you're supposed to be.

The film does its best to cover a short life filled to the brim with more experience than today's average life expectancy, from inappropriately hilarious food fighting to heartbreaking divorce and tragic and mysterious death (accidental or suicide?). However, it neither has the time nor the inclination spend much time tear-jerking, instead opting to celebrate the National Lampoon co-founder's inappropriate, dark and witty style of comedy by purposely painting over the the sad moments with irreverent humor... Assuming that Doug would've wanted that way. In fact, the movie's somewhat anti-climactic ending even takes some reportedly creative liberty to depict Henry Beard starting a food-fight at his lifelong friend's funeral, "inappropriately" in honor of the story's main character. A perfect tribute to Doug Kenney's wit and style.

Bottom line, if you want to properly prepare yourself to watch this biopic in the correct light, Kenney has already given us the perfect primer: watch his classic comedy Animal House, then dive directly into the throwback tribute to the man who created it. The funniest, wittiest movie I've seen lately, and the most fun I've had watching anything based on a true story in quite a long time. Titled "A Futile and Stupid Gesture," the name alone gives us clear instructions to view it with a smile - not our reading glasses and notepads.