A Futile and Stupid Gesture

2018
TV-MA
1h 41m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Will Forte in A Futile and Stupid Gesture (2018)

In the 1970s and '80s, National Lampoon's success and influence creates a new media empire overseen in part by the brilliant and troubled Douglas Kenney.In the 1970s and '80s, National Lampoon's success and influence creates a new media empire overseen in part by the brilliant and troubled Douglas Kenney.In the 1970s and '80s, National Lampoon's success and influence creates a new media empire overseen in part by the brilliant and troubled Douglas Kenney.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

18K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 nominations total

Trivia
Joel McHale portrays Chevy Chase in this project. The two costarred in Community (2009). A number of episodes centered on McHale's character fearing he would become like Chase's one day. When McHale called Chase and told him that he would be playing him in the film, Chase gave his blessing and shared with him stories about Doug Kenney.

Goofs
When the names of National Lampoon staff omitted from the movie are flashed on the screen, renowned cartoonist and NatLamp editor Shary Flenniken's name is misspelled (as "Sherry").

Quotes
Tom Snyder: Mr. Kenney, it's a fine line between being clever and offensive, isn't it?
Douglas Kenney: Look, if I could just say something in defense of National Lampoon for one moment...
Tom Snyder: Please.
Douglas Kenney: We come from a tradition of truth-tellers. A long time ago, there was someone else society found offensive. They thought that what he did was radical - dangerous. They persecuted him... and eventually killed him. Of course, I'm referring to Dracula.

Crazy credits
After the end credits have rolled, Martin Mull is shown singing the song "Time of My Life" with members of the cast.

Connections
Features Airplane! (1980)

Soundtracks
Chapel of Dreams
Written by Billy Myles
Performed by The Dubs
Courtesy of Rhino Entertainment Company
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

User reviews69

Review

Featured review

10/10

Netflix's' Best In a Looong While

Rarely do movies make me laugh out loud anymore. This movie not only made me do it repeatedly, but had me laughing hours later remembering some of the bits. Extremely clever, well told story of a brilliantly hilarious guy who I, and I would guess most of my generation (I'm 31), am not familiar with. This was truly a 10/10 and I hope Netflix makes more like it down the road.