JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonFree Enterprise (1998) - Trailer Included
June 21st 2007 00:03
Free Enterprise
U.S DVD Unavailable in Australia.
U.S Special Edition DVD Cover
Writer:Mark A Altman & Robert Meyer Burnett
Starring:Eric McCormack, Rafer Weigel, William Shatner, Audie Englund, Patrick van Horn, Lori Lively, Diane Cignoni, Thomas Hobson
“You're losing it. A year ago you'd already be re-enacting the kitchen scene from "9 1/2 Weeks". 'Course, my own sex life's more like 8 1/2 Weeks - Fellini meets Psycho. Scary.” - Mark
Free Enterprise is a witty reworking of Woody Allen’s Play it Again Sam that gets its vibe and tone from Swingers. Embedding science fiction references and movie geekdom within a story about cinephiles dealing with the opposite sex.
“Do you wish Rhett never loved Scarlett? Rick didn't have Ilsa or Harry never loved Sally? Someone once said it's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. Succeed or fail, we must make the attempt, it's our nature. Now if it were up to me, as it usually is, I would order this. But its not. Because Claire is right in pointing out the enormous danger potential in any relationship with a man as intelligent but fantastically flakey as Robert. But I must point out the possibilities, the potential, for true love and happiness are equally great. Risk... risk is our business. That's what relationships are all about. That's why we're out there.” - Mark
Mark and Robert are two intelligent but immature struggling players, desperate to make their own movie. Working on the fringes of the industry misogynist Mark (Eric McCormack) is a nihilistic, marginally successful hack writer. Robert (Rafer Wiegel) is a near destitute, mooching dreamer who works as a film editor on Beach Blanket Bimbos style exploitation.
“I fucking hate the fact that women do not give a shit how anything looks or sounds, as long as they can sing along with the lyrics.” - Robert
Obsessed with buying laser discs, picking up collectables and hanging out in toy stores, the rest of the time they chase girls and parties with their friends (Patrick Van Horn).
“She made Forrest Gump look like a candidate for Mensa.” - Mark
Idolizing Captain Kirk (William Shatner) from childhood when they run into William Shatner looking at porn in a bookstore they are forced to begin reassessing the differences between fantasy and reality in the quest for love, silver screen nirvana and personal growth.
“Guys, you gotta mix a little reality in with your imagination to achieve happiness in your life. And you've gotta overcome your programming - which in your case is a thirty-year-old television show.” – William Shatner
Look at Miss Universe, she is hot for a Vulcan. Another conquest.
John Doe says:
The script is written by fans for fans, but unlike most fare of this kind the Direction is solid, the acting is enjoyable and most importantly it is very funny, and not in a fart-in-her-mouth way.
The snappy, incisive dialogue and jazzy score thrive in a pop culture universe where curios and cult gems are thrown out with the frequency of a Futurama episode. The scriptwriters are “one of us, one of us”, knowledgeable in their subject.
Managing to inject some genuine emotion, now is probably a good time to mention that this film still feels like a John Doe early years biography at times. The girlfriends taking back treasured action figures that were once gifts, the all driving passion of pursing memorabilia, behind the scenes information and making your own movie. Emotionally guarded and failing to connect or interact past the superficial attraction.....I can relate.
Eric McCormack (Dead Like Me) pre that unfunny sitcom starts with a “W”, plays Mark with an arrogant charm that amuses but is also willing to be despicable. Rafer Wiegel (I am Sam, Rated X) as Robert is perfect casting.
To his credit, Shatner is playing Shatner (Star Trek, TJ Hooker, Twelve O Clock High) so the portrayal is eerily life like and natural (for him). Its important to note this is not all about Shatner, he is a peripheral, as Bogey was in the Woody Allen Classic. The side story of a musical version of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar with him as star is amusingly resolved. An reaffirmation of self belief?
JD is going out on a limb to say that like its mentor Swingers, this will appeal regardless of how much you know about the inner folklore of moviedom. Free Enterprise is a sentimental, romance favourite for Johnny that will forever cause a poignant smile on this Sci Fi nerds face.
The DVD:
Transfer: 1:85:1 Widescreen/5.1 Dolby Digital
Extras: Extended edit of the film. Commentary with the Director and stars William Shatner, Eric McCormack and Rafer Wiegel plus an alternate Producer/Director Commentary track. Making of documentary: Where No Fan Has Gone Before, Deleted Scenes, trailer, music videos and DVD ROM: Screenplays.
There are a few low budget "Free Enterprise" trailers below, all of them not very good quality, but its all I could find.
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Comment by Jess
The Tack Room
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Shatner is very much in Boston Legal mode for this. He is not the star though and his appearances are limited. Its really the story of Eric and Robert questing for love, maturity and cinematic bliss.
If you laughed at Swingers, you will probably dig this too.
Thanks for the nod on presentation.
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
L.A.M.P.
Seeing as I'm a big fan of "Swingers" and Woody Allen's work, ("Broadway Danny Rose" captured the biz so perfectly!) this one sounds like a winner to me.
Thanks, JD!
Comment by Cibbuano
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
I actually looked for this last night at the video store, remembering that you told me about this, JD. Bah!
Man, you know I'd love this. Play it again Sam, reworked with intelligent sci-fi? Hell yeah.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
You would enjoy it I think, Shatner is good. The plot is lifted staright from Swingers in some regards but then the whole idol/mentor dynamic of Kirk comes in.
There is a fantastic Logans Run nod too.
"Carousel, Carousel" (Chanting)
Hi Cib,
I will have to lend you my one next time we meet up.