The Independent

Jerry Stiller makes this movie work
Let me begin by saying you have to love Jerry Stiller to love this movie, because he's in just about every scene. And he's the Jerry you loved in Seinfeld, as well as many other incarnations. He's loud, he's rude, and he's hilarious. This movie would not have worked with anyone else in the lead role.

The idea of the film is that Stiller is the ultimate independent film producer, Morty Fineman. His movies may not be great art, but there sure are a lot of them. One of the best gags in this film is to just sit back and enjoy the titles for all the films. A lot of work went into conjuring up literally hundreds of titles--some of which will make you laugh out loud. To catch them all, you should check out the very well-done companion web site...

You'll probably enjoy this movie best if you're in the 35-45 age range, because it will take you back to all those drive-in movie classics you loved as a teenager.

full disclosure -- I'm in it
But that shouldn't stop you from laughing and pointing at the baldheaded monkeyboy in the audience shots during the filmfest at the end. Yes, I'm an extra, so what? Plus that's my hometown of Colfax, CA standing in for the fictitious, hooker-founded Chapparral, NV... and yes, I got to meet Ginger Lynn, who plays The Mayor. She had some trouble saying the few lines that were scripted for her (and you'll see that some of her lines have music playing over them instead of voice) but that's okay. I'm pretty sure dialogue is not one of her strong points. Oh yeah, and I met Mr. Stiller, who is as sweet and funny and cool as you would guess he'd be. Same of director Steven Kessler. Same of me. Just kidding; I'm a dick.

Todd: "We are prepared Mr. Fineman, today, to buy your entire film library, for $8 a pound."
THE INDEPENDENT is a witty Hollywood film about Hollywood, a zany little satire that stars Jerry Stiller as Morty Fineman, the worst producer in motion picture history. Some of his classic bombs:

THE MAN WITH TWO THINGS
I SEE ENGLAND, I SEE FRANCE
TWELVE ANGRY MEN AND A BABY
NUDE COP
WORLD WAR III II
JOAN OF ARKANSAS
SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER BLISTER
PULL MY FINGER
LS