Movies:
The Independent
DVD Release
- Release Date: 2003
- Morty's entire 427 film catalog
- Rating:
- Genre: Comedy
- Movie Type: Showbiz Comedy, Mockumentary
- Themes: Fathers and Daughters, Filmmaking
- Director: Stephen Kessler
- Main Cast: Jerry Stiller, Janeane Garofalo, Max Perlich, Ginger Lynn Allen, Billy Burke
- Release Year: 2000
- Country: US
- Run Time: 93 minutes
Plot
Imaginary Z-grade 1960s exploitation film producer Morty Fineman (Jerry Stiller), who was responsible for such faux-works as Buddy Cops V: Hayseed and Toughnut, sci-fi blaxploitation flick The Foxy Chocolate Robot, and, of course, Heil Titler , is the focus for this mockumentary co-written and directed by Stephen Kessler). While Fineman struggles to make his latest effort, Ms. Kevorkian, about a gun-toting babe who's passionate about assisted-suicide, the bank wants to foreclose on his hallowed studio and sell his film archive for $8 a pound. In absolute desperation, he reaches out to his estranged daughter Paloma (Janeane Garofalo), who grudgingly agrees to be the president of his production company in spite of numerous moral qualms. Along the way, the film features interviews with such real-life luminaries as Peter Bogdanovich, Roger Corman, and blaxploitation stalwart Fred Williamson, that paints a picture of a relentlessly gung-ho producer whose work somehow manages to rise above nothing budgets and lackluster talent. They also highlight Fineman's penchant for hitting on his leading ladies; Karen Black recalled one incident by noting, "It helped to be drunk." This film was screened at the 2000 South By Southwest Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie GuideReview
A funny if sloppy mockumentary about imaginary B-movie director Morty Fineman, The Independent has barely enough story to sustain its 93-minute running time. Truth be told, the movie's ostensible narrative -- about Fineman's attempts to find financing for the 427th addition to his oeuvre (a euthanasia rights-themed actioner entitled "Mrs. Kevorkian") -- is beside the point. The Independent's reason for being is the Fineman catalog. Scattered generously throughout the movie are clips from Fineman's diverse output, from the Siamese-twin Vietnam pic "Brothers Divided," to the budget-breaking epic that sunk Fineman's company, "The Whole Story of America." The movie also gets a lot of mileage from its gimmicky cameos: Interspersed throughout the movie are testimonials from luminaries such as Peter Bogdanovich, Ron Howard, and Roger Corman. Affectionate and knowing, The Independent would have been better off had it stuck with the mockumentary format straight through, rather than occasionally slipping into a straightforward plot. Falling short of the deftness and satirical perfection of This Is Spinal Tap, The Independent at its best nonetheless imparts the same spirit of smart mischief. Jerry Stiller, as the immortal Fineman, chews up the scenery with glee. Be sure to catch the end credits for the entire Fineman filmography -- some of the titles are keepers. ~ Elbert Ventura, All Movie GuideCast
- Jerry Stiller - Morty Fineman
- Janeane Garofalo - Paloma Fineman
- Max Perlich - Ivan
- Ginger Lynn Allen - Mayor Kitty Storm
- Billy Burke - Dwayne
Andy Dick - Maitre d'; Fred Dryer - Jean Clude; Ethan Embry - Bert; Jonathan Katz - Todd; John (Johnny Rotten) Lydon - Baruce; Anne Meara - Rita; Ben Stiller - Cop
