My Big Fat Independent Movie (2005)

My Big Fat Independent Movie Poster

This film is a spoof along the lines of "Scary Movie" and "Not Another Teen Movie." It includes parodies of some of the indie film world's most renowned movies such as "Memento," "Pulp Fiction," "Magnolia," "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," "Amelie," "Run Lola Run," "El Mariachi," "The Good Girl," "Pi," "Swingers" and many others.

Introduction
"My Big Fat Independent Movie" is a 2005 American satirical funny film directed by Philip Zlotorynski. It was produced as a parody of widely known independent films including Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, Amelie, and Memento to name a few. The movie script was co-written by Adam Schwartz and Chris Gore.

Plot
The film centres around 2 hit men, Sam (Neil Barton) and Harvey (Eric Hoffman), who are on a mission to retrieve a luggage from a well-known Frenchman called Jean-Pierre (Michael Rivkin). The luggage is of significant significance to their boss, Don Julio, and the duo must obtain it at any expense. Their journey subsequently leads them through an extravagant experience filled with zany parodies and exaggerated spoofs of popular indie movies.

Characters and Performances
The hit man duo, Sam and Harvey, are represented as lovable but inefficient lawbreakers. Neil Barton and Eric Hoffman have successfully injected their roles with a special blend of earnestness and deadpan humour, making them standout characters. Jean-Pierre, portrayed by Michael Rivkin, embodies the stereotyped foreign villain, leaked in suavity and menace. On the other hand, other noteworthy characters consist of Johnny Vince (Darren Keefe), an undercover cop who was required to be a stripper, and Julianne (Paget Brewster), who plays numerous characters, showcasing a wide variety of funny impersonations.

Parodies and Humour
"My Big Fat Independent Movie" lives up to its title by describing, or straight-out parroting, numerous independent movies. The most visible parodies include the iconic dance scene from Pulp Fiction, the several timelines of Memento, the distinctive visual style and discussion from Amelie, and the tense heist setup from Reservoir Dogs. These parodies are skillfully woven into the narrative, striking a balance in between an engaging storyline and a parody sketch. The movie uses a barrage of slapstick humour, unreasonable situations, and ingenious quips to keep the audience entertained.

Critical Reception
Whilst dealing with a particular niche of indie-cinema lovers, the motion picture has had a polarizing result, gathering mixed reviews from critics and audiences. Some applauded it for its audacity and clever references however others criticized its over-reliance on extremely specific understanding of the films being parodied, restricting its attract a more comprehensive audience. Nonetheless, it has acquired a cult following amongst movie enthusiasts and indie-movie fans due to its over the leading presentation and extreme comedic takes on timeless independent motion picture tropes.

Conclusion
"My Big Fat Independent Movie" offers a comical flight that highlights and has fun with the peculiarities of indie movies, making it an unforgettable watch, particularly for those who are well-acquainted with independent cinema. The film is marked by its unrelenting pursuit of parody, making it an interesting experiment in the funny genre and an event of the indie film culture. Directed by Philip Zlotorynski, this motion picture is a distinct mix of satire and tribute to the independent movie market. It caters well to its specific niche audience and in time, has sculpted a distinctive area for itself in the realm of parody movies.

Top Cast

  • Paget Brewster (small)
    Paget Brewster
    Julianne
  • Neil Barton
    Sam
  • Eric Hoffman
    Harvey
  • Darren Keefe Reiher
    Johnny Vince
  • Ashley Head
    Anomalie
  • Brian Krow
    Memento Guy
  • John Fortson
    Spader
  • Neil Hopkins (small)
    Neil Hopkins
    Lanky Man
  • Rob Schrab
    Bald Genius
  • Regina Berger
    Lola
  • Jason Mewes (small)
    Jason Mewes