Welcome to the review of the movie that I cannot tell you about. I cannot tell you who directed it, or who stars in it, or who wrote it, or any specific details of what goes on in the movie.
It all started this past Friday. I was at the movie theater waiting to see The Libertine when I was approached by a young woman who asked if I was interested in being part of a test audience for an upcoming Hollywood film. Being the movie fan that I am, how could I say no? I had heard tales of these legendary events, but living in upstate New York, rarely have the opportunity to seek these holy grails of filmdom. Usually, when I hear about people who have seen these, they're in big cities like New York City and Los Angeles. As it turns out, this screening was going to be held at the local community college.
After expressing my interest, the next step was to try to get any information about the film that I could. Turns out, there was very little they were willing, or able, to offer. All that she would say was that it was a comedy. OK, I can deal with that; I just had to wait a few days in anticipation.
Monday came, and I got to the theater, and was disappointed by what I saw. Yes, the screening was still going on, but there was a very small turnout. At 5:30, those who had shown up seemed to be mainly the friends and family of the students involved in organizing it. I got myself a seat in the middle towards the front of the auditorium and watched the film.
The movie falls within the broad confines of romantic comedy. It has some recognizable names in it. Among the names I cannot tell you about are an actor who has starred in a trilogy of well-received comedies, and has worked with Woody Allen, and an actress who made a splash in the biggest-grossing comedy of 2005. In the supporting cast is a guy who starred in one of the biggest science fiction trilogies ever. Then there is the writer/director, who has been featured in a series of soft drink commercials, and a decade-based series on VH1, not to mention a comedy show with a woman's name.
Article comments
1 - Phillip Winn
This is fascinating! I'm tempted to be snooty about the editing-by-committee approach, but I know I'd jump at a chance to attend something like this, so I'll just be amazed instead.
2 - Eric Olsen
this rocks Chris, fascinating, thanks!
3 - Scott Butki
If I knew my film trivia better I would try to guess the actors you gave clues about... but I won't.
Good post.
Thanks for sharing an interesting experience with us.
4 - Triniman
Very interesting post, Chris! Now you've got me trying to guess who the actors are.
5 - Matthew T. Sussman
Don't lie to me, Chris. Was this movie Snakes on a Plane?
6 - JELIEL³
I wonder if they knew you were a BC would they have still selected you?
I wish I could get into screenings also. Sounds cool, all insidery...
7 - JP
I'd attended a couple of these, while working for AMC (our theater hosted several as well) - this is how "alternate endings" on a DVD usually come about, or rather the process by which they pick the one they'll eventually use.. fun to be a part of.
8 - Ty
That is so cool that in NYC you can do this sort of thing.
Most people in America want to do so, and a scam company TELEVISION PREVIEW, an arm of an ad company, takes advantage of this desire and scams you into watching crummy shows to see and review commercials.
9 - Tyler
By the way, the movie is obviously
"The Pleasure of Your Company "
Starring Jason Biggs (American Pie Trilogy) and Isla Fisher (from Wedding Crashers, highest grossing comedy of 2005)
Plot Summary:
THE PLEASURE OF YOUR COMPANY is a comedy that shows us that love has nothing to do with perfection. After losing the woman of his dreams, Anderson (Biggs) is convinced he'll never fall in love again. But at the urging of his best friend, he spontaneously proposes to a dissatisfied waitress named Katie (Fisher) and an innocent dare evolves into the kind of love that both have been looking for all along.
IMDB link
10 - Ty
The writer/director is Michael Ian Black, who you might know from the DUMB recent Sierra Mist commercial at airport security with Kathy Griffin (Michael Ian Black is the victim in the commercial of Griffin's stupidity)
11 - Sterfish
This "non-review" is a lot better than some actual reviews I've read. Great job!