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The Independent

  • 2000
  • R
  • 1h 21m
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
Janeane Garofalo, Max Perlich, and Jerry Stiller in The Independent (2000)
Home Video Trailer from Allumination
Play trailer1:11
1 Video
14 Photos
ParodySatireComedy

A notorious B-movie director tries for a comeback by seeking out the film rights to the life story of a serial killer who wants his biography film to be a musical.A notorious B-movie director tries for a comeback by seeking out the film rights to the life story of a serial killer who wants his biography film to be a musical.A notorious B-movie director tries for a comeback by seeking out the film rights to the life story of a serial killer who wants his biography film to be a musical.

  • Director
    • Stephen Kessler
  • Writers
    • Mike Wilkins
    • Stephen Kessler
  • Stars
    • Jerry Stiller
    • Janeane Garofalo
    • Max Perlich
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.9/10
    1.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Stephen Kessler
    • Writers
      • Mike Wilkins
      • Stephen Kessler
    • Stars
      • Jerry Stiller
      • Janeane Garofalo
      • Max Perlich
    • 30User reviews
    • 15Critic reviews
    • 52Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins total

    Videos1

    The Independent
    Trailer 1:11
    The Independent

    Photos14

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    Top cast83

    Edit
    Jerry Stiller
    Jerry Stiller
    • Morty Fineman
    Janeane Garofalo
    Janeane Garofalo
    • Paloma Fineman
    Max Perlich
    Max Perlich
    • Ivan
    Ted Demme
    Ted Demme
    • Ted Demme
    Roger Corman
    Roger Corman
    • Roger Corman
    Ron Howard
    Ron Howard
    • Ron Howard
    Karen Black
    Karen Black
    • Karen Black
    Peter Bogdanovich
    Peter Bogdanovich
    • Peter Bogdanovich
    Fred Williamson
    Fred Williamson
    • Self
    Nick Cassavetes
    Nick Cassavetes
    • Nick Cassavetes
    Paul Logan
    Paul Logan
    • Paul Logan
    Stacy Fuson
    Stacy Fuson
    • Daughter
    Herb Marcus
    • Old Man…
    Julie Strain
    Julie Strain
    • Ms. Kevorkian
    Stephen Kessler
    • Steve
    Mike Wilkins
    • Mike
    Ethan Embry
    Ethan Embry
    • Bert
    James 'Kimo' Wills
    James 'Kimo' Wills
    • Rob
    • (as Kimo Wills)
    • Director
      • Stephen Kessler
    • Writers
      • Mike Wilkins
      • Stephen Kessler
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews30

    5.91.4K
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    Featured reviews

    shybiker

    Satire Worth Seeing

    This sleeper has been overlooked. It is frequently funny with many illustrations of real wit. If you're a fan of indie-flicks, then there's much to enjoy here, not least of which are unexpected cameos by industry names.

    Plus, despite what others have said, there is a narrative based on the characters' familial relations. That, and quality acting from the leads (especially Jerry Stiller, who'll surprise you with his convincing portrayal) make this satire well-worth watching.

    I found this on cable and learned it's not been released on DVD. Let's start lobbying for that!
    Blueghost

    Funny, but room for improvement.

    The only criticism I'd make about this film is that the documentary angle wasn't played up to its entirety. There're shots in the film that just don't gybe with documentary film making. An example are some of the lockdown shots, where edited footage of two people having a conversation (a conversation that is supposed captured by a single camera) is shown. It just doesn't wash. And the film suffers because of it. Documentary crews either setup interviews or follow their subjects around. The intercut sequences harken too much to traditional film making. Documentaries have long takes of jittery or mildly shaken hand held shots. Documentaries do not contain lockdown car shots, dolly shots, or other complicated camera moves. It just doesn't happen: It's not what documentary film making is all about. And yet "The Independent" has all of these things.

    If the actors had just been allowed to act in front of the camera, possibly ad lib in a long master, then this film would've been much more than what it ultimately became, and would've achieved its goal with sterling aplomb. As it is now it's an attempt at making a mocumentary. Fairly succesful, good, funny, but ultimately a few points shy of a comic masterpiece.

    Otherwise it's actually a funny film. Anybody who's worked on any kind of independent production will tell you that this film hits pretty close to home. Artistic license is taken with over the top situations and performances, but the film manages to capture the general feel of how the indy-film maker works, and does so in a comic vein. Stiller plays the exploitation film maker who denies his more base nature, stating that he's an artiste commenting on society, and not a director of hack T&A/slasher/blacksploitation/biker or whatever exploitation genre that he's actually known for.

    If you enjoyed "This is Spinal Tap," "Jackie Brown," or "Drop Dead Gorgeous," then you'll warm to this film. Take note of the rating; it's not a comedy for kids.
    7MKSF

    So much potential...

    A very funny film and showcase for Jerry Stiller. The highlight, though, is the myriad of crazy and very fun movies, shown in blurbs, that Stiller's Morty supposedly made over the years. These clips are what makes the movie. All the rest is mildly funny, but not nearly as clever. Janeane Garofalo is underused, as well.
    7edgewordwise

    Ginger Lynn is my mayor

    For the recently-married reviewer who missed the last 20 minutes: that was my 15 seconds of fame as an extra at the "film festival", dammit! The fictional town of "Chapparal, Nevada" is in fact Colfax, California. The theater interior is that of the old-school Colfax Theater. Never before has the subject of venereal disease been dealt with so classily on the silver screen, army stock or not. Jerry Stiller is a mensch and that Ginger Lynn as the Mayor, well... I don't think dialogue was a strong point in her previous film career, know what i mean? Don't miss this one, especially if you like quirky faux-documentary comedies. Really.
    coles

    A great movie!!!

    I saw this movie on Sunset at the screening. It was a great movie. It was a very funny, very quirky movie. It kind of reminded me of Ed Wood. And it was really fabulous because there are so many different cameos in the movie! When you least expect them! Hysterical. Great lines. Funny jokes. I highly recommend this movie.

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Richard Paul's last film. Also Louisa Moritz' last film.
    • Quotes

      Todd: We are prepared Mr. Fineman, today, to buy you're entire film library, for $8 a pound.

    • Crazy credits
      The titles of all 427 of Morty Fineman's films are shown along with the end credits.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: Behind Enemy Lines/Spy Game/Black Knight/The Affair of the Necklace/The Independent/Fat Girl (2001)

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    FAQ

    • How long is The Independent?
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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 12, 2000 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Независимость
    • Production company
      • United Lotus Group
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross US & Canada
      • $238,431
    • Gross worldwide
      • $238,431
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 21 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby

    Contribute to this page

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    Janeane Garofalo, Max Perlich, and Jerry Stiller in The Independent (2000)
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    By what name was The Independent (2000) officially released in Canada in English?
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