FILM REVIEW - 'Montana Run' By Henry SheehanA genuine charmer and a potential sleeper, "Montana Run'' relates the travails of three comedians and their discount impresario as they make a nightmare circuit of small-town one-nighters in Montana. Although once in a while one of the performers is overheard making a joke, the emphasis is on character, relationships and the grimy realities of show biz.
The film is a fine calling card for the four featured cast members -- all of whom at least doubled in some production or writing capacity -- but especially star/co-writer/co-editor/producer/director Randy Thompson, who displays a uniquely attractive wry, dry comic realism.
Thompson plays Andy Miller, a real comer in the comedy field who finds himself, as the result of a misunderstanding, stuck in a beat-up old car chugging Montana state highways. At the wheel is Doug Atkins (co-writer/associate producer Ron Reid), a former comic specializing in comic presentations in the Northwest.
The other performers are Brock Mason (co-writer/associate producer Dan Lishner), the show's emcee and a poor obnoxious soul who has no idea how unfunny he is, and Charli McKnight (associate producer-talent coordinator-hair and makeup person Mayme Paul-Thompson), a divorced mother, nearly as funny as Andy, but not sure what she's doing on the road at her age.
The film has a sophisticated notion of characterization, and first impressions exist only to be confounded by second ones, which then are overturned by further considerations. Although the story is related from his point of view, Andy comes across as something of a priggish cold fish, while Brock's frat-boy sexism turns out to hide a bitter self-awareness. Doug and Charli come in for similar scrutiny.
The clubs this quartet encounters are mostly cowboy bars, and though the receptions are mostly favorable, the film climaxes at what must be a comedian's nightmare engagement, a roomful of rowdy, antagonistic yahoos peppered with at least one neo-Nazi. It's a fine setting for the final reversal and the film's capping moment of weary heroism.
A low budget doesn't interfere with the film's location realism. The ambient soundtrack -- largely by Thompson and Ken Boynton (who has a small acting part), but others as well -- is composed of clever parodies that could pass muster as the real items. The acting is of a fairly high standard, with Thompson and Lishner fearless standouts.
MONTANA RUN
Grey Cat Films
Paul-Thompson Films Inc.
Producer-director Randy Thompson
Writers Randy Thompson, Ron Reid, Dan Lishner
Director of photography Wm Brooks Baum
Editors Randy Thompson, Tim Maffia
Musical score Randy Thompson
Casting Mayme Paul-Thompson
Color/Stereo
Cast:
Andy Miller Randy Thompson
Brock Mason Dan Lishner
Doug Atkins Ron Reid
Charli McKnight Mayme Paul-Thompson
Running time -- 97 minutes
No MPAA rating
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
Thompson plays Andy Miller, a real comer in the comedy field who finds himself, as the result of a misunderstanding, stuck in a beat-up old car chugging Montana state highways. At the wheel is Doug Atkins (co-writer/associate producer Ron Reid), a former comic specializing in comic presentations in the Northwest.
The other performers are Brock Mason (co-writer/associate producer Dan Lishner), the show's emcee and a poor obnoxious soul who has no idea how unfunny he is, and Charli McKnight (associate producer-talent coordinator-hair and makeup person Mayme Paul-Thompson), a divorced mother, nearly as funny as Andy, but not sure what she's doing on the road at her age.
The film has a sophisticated notion of characterization, and first impressions exist only to be confounded by second ones, which then are overturned by further considerations. Although the story is related from his point of view, Andy comes across as something of a priggish cold fish, while Brock's frat-boy sexism turns out to hide a bitter self-awareness. Doug and Charli come in for similar scrutiny.
The clubs this quartet encounters are mostly cowboy bars, and though the receptions are mostly favorable, the film climaxes at what must be a comedian's nightmare engagement, a roomful of rowdy, antagonistic yahoos peppered with at least one neo-Nazi. It's a fine setting for the final reversal and the film's capping moment of weary heroism.
A low budget doesn't interfere with the film's location realism. The ambient soundtrack -- largely by Thompson and Ken Boynton (who has a small acting part), but others as well -- is composed of clever parodies that could pass muster as the real items. The acting is of a fairly high standard, with Thompson and Lishner fearless standouts.
MONTANA RUN
Grey Cat Films
Paul-Thompson Films Inc.
Producer-director Randy Thompson
Writers Randy Thompson, Ron Reid, Dan Lishner
Director of photography Wm Brooks Baum
Editors Randy Thompson, Tim Maffia
Musical score Randy Thompson
Casting Mayme Paul-Thompson
Color/Stereo
Cast:
Andy Miller Randy Thompson
Brock Mason Dan Lishner
Doug Atkins Ron Reid
Charli McKnight Mayme Paul-Thompson
Running time -- 97 minutes
No MPAA rating
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
- 4/1/1992
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.