Reviews

If you think your family's got problems wait until you meet The Dunderheads. From the backwoods of the Rocky Mountains, this illiterate, socially dysfunctional family roars across the American west leaving a trail of mayhem and confusion as they collide with the mainstream world. A very black comedy that gradually reveals a poignant dramatic heart leads to a very effective ending as we find out why the Dunderheads are the way they are. Alison Brie from NBC's Community and Academy Award nominee, Haley Joel Osment are outstanding while Olympia Dukakis gives one of her best film performances as the very eccentric grandmother. Brie and Dukakis won acting awards for their roles in this film which was also selected as "Best Feature Film" at NYC's Big Apple Film Festival.

A comedy that gradually reveals a poignant dramatic heart as a backwoods dysfunctional family flees their mountain home for a road trip across the American West and into a cultural collision with the modern world. Alison Brie from NBC's Community is outstanding and Olympia Dukakis gives one of her best film performances as the very eccentric grandmother. Both won acting awards for their roles in this film which was also selected as "Best Feature Film" at NYC's Big Apple Film Festival at Tribeca.

As the characters struggle with the world outside their mountain valley, they reveal much about the nature of family and the essence of the human condition.

If you are easily offended by bold unusual film-making especially in the areas of sex and violence do not see this film. That said I just saw this at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and thought it was a very interesting and very brave film. Well worth seeing if you can like strong, unusual films. Probably close to 30% of the audience walked out, but I was encouraged by the 70+% that remained, especially since most of the audience were 60+ Americans. The 20-somethings I talked to on the way out were very enthusiastic. The woman sitting next to me said "What did it mean? I don't understand" but to me there were enough deep meanings and points to ponder on a 30-minute drive home and I can't wait to tell friends about it. Everything from the dangers of creating a "perfect family" to "the mechanization of capitalism and upper middle class life" to metaphors for the dangers of repressive families and governments. At it's simplest, it proves that people, especially young ones, are in so many ways what their parents make them. This is not a film you will forget!

Hilarious dry, sophisticated humor with insight into the ranching life of the Big Sky Country of the US. Really hits the mark for the cowboy-hippie life of Bozeman and Livingston, Montana. Great performances from Slim Pickens, Jeff Bridges, Elizabeth Ashley, Joe Spinell and shows that Sam Waterston actually had a lot of talent until he fell into the "Law and Order" grind. This is probably the best film written by Thomas McGuane and one of Frank Perry's best efforts as a director. Would probably make a great double bill with "The Adventures of Buckeroo Banzai." Anyone interested in the last Golden Age of American Film (late 60's - 70's) should see this film.