Movie review: A Futile and Stupid Gesture

Will Forte and Domhnall Glesson star in the Netflix original movie A Futile And Stupid Gesture

It wouldn't be right to make a boringly dry bio-pic about Doug Kenney, the co-founder of American comedy institution National Lampoon.

When your subject kickstarted a comedy revolution and built an empire based on a curious and controversial combination of dark irreverence, gutter smut and childish absurdity, then playing it straight just ain't gonna fly.

Right from the start the traditional biopic narrative is skewered, as a cantankerous Kenney reprimands director David Wain (Wet Hot American Summer) for opening on a bummer scene of childhood trauma before turning on the audience for not knowing who he is.

When it's suggested he list his well-known achievements he protests, then in a series of increasingly heated fast cuts, acquiesces and rattles them off: co-founder of National Lampoon magazine, writer of screwball comedy movies Animal House and Caddyshack as well as the late-70s parody novel Bored of the Rings.

From there "Modern Doug" regularly breaks the fourth wall to talk directly to the viewer and either explain or fudge events. The movie makes no bones about shuffling facts around to fit the narrative. But even with this craziness the movie doesn't stray too far from the standard bio-pic arc.

Both Will Forte, who plays "Young Doug", and Domhnall Gleeson who stars as his creative partner Henry Beard, are both great. Forte capturing the conflicts of Kenney's all-over-the-show enthusiasm, personal turmoil and shitty, selfish decision-making, while Gleeson is unrecognisable as the enigmatic, pipe-puffing intellectual Beard.

It's not just Gleeson who will force a double-take. Many well-known comedic actors show up hidden behind period-perfect garb. The attention to detail in capturing the look and vibe of the late-70s-early-80s period is spot on with special mention going to Joel McHale for his pitch-perfect portrayal of Chevy Chase, his former Community co-star and behind-the-scenes antagonist.

Despite Kenney's earlier admonishment the less you know about him the better. While there's plenty of shenanigans throughout A Futile and Stupid Gesture has heart and doesn't shy away from the darker or tragic aspects of one of the most influential people of American comedy.

Cast: Will Forte, Domhnall Gleeson
Director: David Wain
Running time: 101minutes
Rating: 16+
Verdict: Lampoons traditional biopics while also happening to be a very good one.