The Assistants

Color me pleasantly surprised by this little independent movie about a group of friends searching for success in Hollywood, while desperately trying to avoid the price of selling out (or selling their souls) that so many other people have paid in order to achieve their dreams in the biz. 

The group (each interested in a different aspect of movie production, including writing, directing, editing, producing, acting, and behind the scenes work), hatch a hair-brained scheme to get a movie in production by using their positions as assistant to various powerful people to manipulate things in their favor. 

The movie ranges from light comedy to some fairly heavy stuff. People with inside knowledge of how Hollywood often works will probably appreciate this more than others. 

The Assistants also doesn't look that cheap, which automatically gives it an advantage over a lot of the bare-bones indies that are being made today. I liked it. It's no masterpiece, but it exceeded my expectations by being a pretty interesting small budget flick.

I enjoy films about Hollywood, so the subject matter was right in my wheelhouse. I did not expect to enjoy this movie as much as I did. I have purchased it and watched it a few times now as I introduce it to others.

While giving the audience a fun look at Hollywood, this film also puts scruples to the test as you journey with the characters struggling with blurred lines of morality as they just try and achieve their collective goal.

It took me by surprise, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

(2009) The Assistants COMEDY/ DRAMA

"The Assistants" as this film is called refers to a group of 'wannabe film students" who are trying to get their first big break into the film world. Written and directed by Steve Morris, the movie plays in such a pretentious fashion that who knew that it was a supposed to be a comedy. To make a long story short, Gary Greene (Joe Mantegna) is a hot shot producer, who's ordering his assistant, Jack Ryder (Chris Conner) to go through a box of worthless scripts. And although, he's trying to get out of it by making the dreaded 'pick up my father excuse', his job then gets put on the line if he doesn't comply. He does, but instead of him going through them, he dumps this kind of responsibility onto his 'wannabe film assistants', and they in turn devised a plan to concoct a brief synopsis in order for him to find, that is completely made-up, calling it "Journey's End". And then by chance, hot shot producer Gary Greene green lights it, putting Jack and company into a complicated situation. Stacy Keach and Jane Seymour also stars. Because I've read so much about the film industry as well as see so many documentaries about it, this film doesn't offer me anything I don't know myself. And if it's supposed to be a comedy then it's also failed on that aspect as well, since I haven't laughed at a single moment. And the songs chosen for this film is amongst the worst as I've ever heard it.

the concept of this movie is far more entertaining than the actual movie!

i thought somewhere in the story the movie will get off the ground. it didn't! instead it just sinks further down and leaves you wondering when it will end. i'm sorry to state the above but i found the actors a bore and the plot line disjointed and self absorbed.

plus the 'look' of the movie isn't consistent! some scenes looked well thought out others as if their time was short so they took what they got. i realize this was a budget film but even budget films can be consistent throughout.

so why did i watch the whole thing? read above. better yet don't waste your time on this one - use that dollar on something else.

What if you could achieve all your dreams, but it came at the cost of your closest friends? That is the question at the core of Steve Morris' fast paced and snappy dramedy: The Assistants!

Five Friends from film school come to conquer Hollywood, but Hollywood has other ideas! Who will win?!

Steve Morris writes, directs, edits and produces a complex exploration of the theme, " What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?"

The actors who play the Five Friends from Film School( The Assistants!) all give appealing performances, particularly Aaron Himelstein from Captain America: the Winter Soldier ( "Captain's Orders") and Kathleen Early.

Its a true pleasure to watch Jane Seymour have fun as a past-her-prime Hollywood Housewife(she still looks beautiful!) and to see Stacy Keach chew some scenery as legendary screenwriter, Harlin Keyes. But, perhaps the most enjoyable performer to watch is legendary film con man, Joe Mantegna. THIS time Joe is the 'mark' as producer, Gary Greene, NOT the con man! Or....is he?

1 part The Sting, 1 part House of Games and 1 part The Player.

Doing any ONE of the 4 jobs that Steve Morris does on this film is extremely difficult, but Steve seems to juggle them all without the appearance of any effort whatsoever. The dialogue is fun and catchy, the plot is quick, the editing is tight and the direction is confident and decisive.

Overall, i would strongly recommend folks check out this film!