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Floundering

  • 1994
  • R
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
Floundering (1994)
Comedy

In this scathing and subversive social comedy, life in post riot Los Angeles is dissected under the sardonic eye of John Boyz, an unemployed thirty nothing flounderer on Venice Beach who is ... Read allIn this scathing and subversive social comedy, life in post riot Los Angeles is dissected under the sardonic eye of John Boyz, an unemployed thirty nothing flounderer on Venice Beach who is trying to figure out what to do with his life. John can't be bothered with apathy, but no ... Read allIn this scathing and subversive social comedy, life in post riot Los Angeles is dissected under the sardonic eye of John Boyz, an unemployed thirty nothing flounderer on Venice Beach who is trying to figure out what to do with his life. John can't be bothered with apathy, but no matter how much he wants to help people, he is too immobilized to do anything useful. Haun... Read all

  • Director
    • Peter McCarthy
  • Writers
    • Jo Harvey Allen
    • John Cusack
    • Peter McCarthy
  • Stars
    • James Le Gros
    • Shaka
    • Zander Schloss
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.8/10
    1.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Peter McCarthy
    • Writers
      • Jo Harvey Allen
      • John Cusack
      • Peter McCarthy
    • Stars
      • James Le Gros
      • Shaka
      • Zander Schloss
    • 24User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos10

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    Top cast64

    Edit
    James Le Gros
    James Le Gros
    • John
    • (as James LeGros)
    Shaka
    • Shaman
    Zander Schloss
    • Catatonic Man
    John Cusack
    John Cusack
    • JC
    Nina Siemaszko
    Nina Siemaszko
    • Gal
    Jeremy Piven
    Jeremy Piven
    • Guy
    Dolores Deluce
    Dolores Deluce
    • Breadstore Clerk
    • (as Dolores Delucé)
    Eddie Baytos
    • Paper Thief
    Maritza Rivera
    • Elle
    Yolanda García
    • Yolanda
    • (as Yolanda Garcia)
    Ángel García
    • Pepe
    • (as Angel Garcia)
    Tom Cortese
    • Drug Dealer
    Therman Statom
    • Drug Buyer
    Margaret McNally
    • Westsider
    Anna Wacks
    • Westside Kid
    Gary Gershaw
    Gary Gershaw
    • Loan Officer
    Bill Fishman
    Bill Fishman
    • Insurance Salesman
    Bobby Collins
    • Insurance Salesman
    • Director
      • Peter McCarthy
    • Writers
      • Jo Harvey Allen
      • John Cusack
      • Peter McCarthy
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews24

    5.81.4K
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    Featured reviews

    mikeaycock

    If you think you might be crazy, this is your film

    This movie saved me from suicide.

    This is not a feel good movie for people who already feel good or people who feel bad and want to stay that way. It is for people who feel that something is wrong, about the world, about themselves, about life as they know it. They want to fix what's wrong but they don't have the energy, the knowledge or the power to do it.

    Nobody wants to be the main character, Jon, but if you were ever a unemployed college graduate, who smokes. drinks, fornicates, and thinks too much, you know how he feels and have had at least one day like his. The only difference is he snaps. Most of us dont snap because we are afraid of what we might do. What the movie shows is the results would probably be more ridiculous than terrifying.
    6DuChamp-3

    I liked it, but. . .

    Floundering is a film I could really relate with when I was fresh out of college, lost and feeling overwhelmed. It is well acted. Direction is passable, though not real important. It's well written if you don't mind breaking the cardinal rule of not having an interior monologue Voiced-over the whole movie by the protagonist. It's THAT kind of movie - where the most interesting action takes place in the characters' head and fantasies. It was also written in Los Angeles immediately following the Riots - which dates the film to anyone who has no memories of the event or climate of the time. (Merryl Fence = Daryl Gates. . . ) This is a character-driven film about a guy in a very confused, bad head-space. And it's good. . .until the end where the Elvis Costello kicks in and the theme of the film is kicked into your teeth with lots of bad singing. For anyone who has been 24 and depressed in the 90's, I'd recommend.
    yuki_doll

    floundering is a good movie

    floundering is a good movie i don't care if it is "indie" or isn't cool enough to be indie. steve buscemi, john cusack or ethan hawke are fine in the movie and serve their purpose well.

    ~The movie suffers from many of the usual independant film problems: unconvincing sets, bad acting...~ HA do you know why independant movies are like that because they have no big budgets to work with. If you want those problems fixed go rent a james cameron movie and dont waste your time, so people like me who appreciate movies like this can rent it.

    As for the character being in every scene, last time i checked the main character is usually in the movie or story quite a bit. how would a main character being in every scene mean death for a movie.

    the movie is a few days in the life of a highly stressed neurotic guy who is fed up with the way things are going not a shallow guy. the back of the box usually sums up the movie for you, i suggest you start reading the back of the boxes before you rent anymore.
    8davidmiannotti

    Worth watching , rare find

    This is a little movie with big things to say. There are some genuinely funny, thought provoking, and disturbing moments in this film. I was surprised to see it rated so low. Certainly not intended to be an academy award candidate nonetheless this film shines in its own way. Floundering takes you on a strange and comical trip that at times poignantly illuminates the absurd realities of modern life. This film takes on many issues through the "floundering" character of Le Gros; recycling, violence,sexuality, drug abuse, wealth disparity, family loss,mental health, and human fraternity to name a few. Look for some great cameos from the likes of Steve Buscemi, Billy Bob Thornton, and Kim Wayans.
    Scoopy

    The movie flounders

    How can good intentions go so awry?

    The movie has the right things to say. It attacks greed, racism, corporate indifference, and shallow relationships, and it features cameos by such interesting people as Steve Buscemi. John Cusack, and Billy Bob Thornton.

    Unfortunately, it lacks one thing one usually looks for in a comedy, namely humor. It just isn't very funny.

    Our hero has a really bad hair day. His girl is with another guy when he shows up early for a date. His brother breaks out of rehab, gets wasted and now thinks our hero is the devil. His bank accounts are possessed by the IRS. His unemployment runs out. His idealistic high school teacher has become a racist greedhead. He is pursued in a drive-by shooting.

    He O.D.'s. He is sodomized after he passes out. ....Well, you get the point.

    There are two ways to attack a hateful target. One is to use the sharp eye of satire, the other is to say "hey, that stinks". This movie does the latter. It uses the Beavis and Butthead level of analytical depth.

    Unfortunately, everyone knows that racism stinks, and they go to movies to be entertained. Viewers may agree with the ideas in this one, and so they may feel good when he strikes back, but not many people will be entertained by it.

    Sophomoric.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Goofs
      At 80 minutes, at the motel, John tucks his revolver into his belt but less than a minute later, he again tucks his revolver into his belt.
    • Quotes

      John: V.D.? Who the fuck wants V.D.?

    • Soundtracks
      My Drug Buddy
      Performed by Stan Ridgway & Zander Schloss

      Words & Music by Stan Ridgway

      (c) & (p) Mondo Spartacus/Illegal Songs

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    FAQ15

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 1994 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Путаница
    • Filming locations
      • Southern California, California, USA(Location)
    • Production company
      • Front Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $20,031
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,604
      • Nov 6, 1994
    • Gross worldwide
      • $20,031
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 36m(96 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Ultra Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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