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The Giant Mechanical Man

  • 2012
  • PG-13
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
11K
YOUR RATING
Jenna Fischer and Chris Messina in The Giant Mechanical Man (2012)
A romantic comedy about a silver-painted street performer and the soft spoken zoo worker who falls for him.
Play trailer2:25
1 Video
24 Photos
ComedyDramaRomance

An offbeat romantic comedy about a silver-painted street performer and the soft spoken zoo worker who falls for him.An offbeat romantic comedy about a silver-painted street performer and the soft spoken zoo worker who falls for him.An offbeat romantic comedy about a silver-painted street performer and the soft spoken zoo worker who falls for him.

  • Director
    • Lee Kirk
  • Writer
    • Lee Kirk
  • Stars
    • Jenna Fischer
    • Chris Messina
    • Topher Grace
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    11K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Lee Kirk
    • Writer
      • Lee Kirk
    • Stars
      • Jenna Fischer
      • Chris Messina
      • Topher Grace
    • 52User reviews
    • 25Critic reviews
    • 43Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    U.S. Version
    Trailer 2:25
    U.S. Version

    Photos24

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    Top cast31

    Edit
    Jenna Fischer
    Jenna Fischer
    • Janice
    Chris Messina
    Chris Messina
    • Tim
    Topher Grace
    Topher Grace
    • Doug
    Malin Akerman
    Malin Akerman
    • Jill
    Rich Sommer
    Rich Sommer
    • Brian
    Lucy Punch
    Lucy Punch
    • Pauline
    Bob Odenkirk
    Bob Odenkirk
    • Mark
    Travis Schuldt
    Travis Schuldt
    • Hal Baker
    Valentine Miele
    • Mahoney
    Sean Gunn
    Sean Gunn
    • George
    Greg Trzaskoma
    • Craig
    Eddie Ebell
    • Mitch
    Chase Kim
    Chase Kim
    • Mitch's Sidekick
    Sarab Kamoo
    Sarab Kamoo
    • Sonia
    John Cabrera
    John Cabrera
    • Toby
    Jennifer O'Kain
    Jennifer O'Kain
    • Camilla
    Nick Holmes
    Nick Holmes
    • Wesley
    Matt Champagne
    • Juice Dad
    • Director
      • Lee Kirk
    • Writer
      • Lee Kirk
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews52

    6.611K
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    Featured reviews

    8atiyaahsan

    The sweetest Rom-Com I've seen all year...!

    What is wrong with IMDb people? How can this movie have such a low rating? Out of all the Rom-Coms I've seen this year, this is by far the sweetest and perhaps the only one with genuine, believable characters. I mean, who among us hasn't felt at some point in life like they're lost, like they haven't got it all figured out, like they are still struggling. They feel confused at not having the same goals that give other people a sense of achievement and not being able to conform to society's definition of success. The story is pretty straight-forward and centers around real and ordinary people. Jenna Fischer is sweet and personable as the female lead, Topher grace is hilarious as the obnoxious author who won't stop bragging about his book, and I actually have a younger sister akin to Malin Akerman's character of the over-bearing know-it-all sibling. She thinks just cuz' she got married first, she has the right to dish advice on every conceivable topic....(smiley face) As for Chris Messina, well, it's the quiet moments where his character broods and mulls that speak volumes, and the soundtrack suits the mood of the film just right. I loved the lead pair and I loved this movie. Go watch it if you wish to enjoy an hour and a half of some winsome and delightful drama!
    9spandex07

    What a surprise!

    This movie really is a true gem, and as others have said, hasn't received the credit it should have.I really liked that it was more drama than comedy, as so many rom-com's these days come across as being silly and not believable. The characters are genuine and relatable, and it leaves you feeling good without to much "mush". I found that it reminded me of some of the John Hughes classics from the 80's, mainly Valley Girl, which also deals with trying to find your place when you feel like you don't quite fit in to the mold, and how others expectations of you don't help in the struggle..If you loved this movie I can recommend Valley Girl as one to watch. It's another movie that didn't get the credit it deserved and stars a young Nic Cage.. I'll be keeping an eye out for more movies this writer has done. Im sure this one will end up being viewed as a classic in years to come :)
    7buddhajd

    Plays to Fischer's strengths

    This film is really right in Jenna Fischer's wheelhouse. The cute woman who needs the man to give her the confidence to really be herself. She may be codependent, but she's not, however, desperate.

    The movie juxtaposes Fischer's character's dating options against one another. On one hand, Topher Grace is the relatively successful writer who seems like Mr. Right. On the other hand, we find failing street artist Chris Messina as the titular Giant Mechanical Man.

    We know who we hope she picks, and it doesn't change over time like the choice in Reality Bites has so clearly flip-flopped back to Ben Stiller over Ethan Hawk. Much like that flick, this one is a groovy indie that leaves us with a clear choice having been made with no idea what the future holds for either couple. But how is that different than in real life? We all have no actual idea about how anything will turn out now; or likely for a long time.

    Stay safe and healthy and, most importantly, STAY HOME until this coronavirus situation has passed.
    6in1984

    More than romance and comedy

    It fulfills everything that a romantic comedy wants to be. I.e., a sweet, cute, warm, encouraging, adorable, amusing, snuggle-worthy, young adult date (or post-breakup, or looking for someone) film. The plot setup is clear and you can see at least romantically where this is going within the first 5-10 minutes. Not a film to go to if you're looking for mystery or suspense or women screaming in fear with hands to their head.

    It is, however, a new take on a common story line, and the writer/director does an excellent job of creating parallels. There are only so many new takes you can get on young adult romances involving those misdirected or lost and confused, so it's worth seeing for that and a variety of subtle insights.

    As is befitting a giant mechanical age of program loops, it is easy to see how a giant mechanical man could have ended up writing this story as part of a biography.

    But I'm still disappointed Jenna's character didn't do something about the artificial zoo juice.
    9mcummins2

    But I NEVER do that!

    Lee Kirk --

    Your movie made me cry ...

    Realizing the significance of the powerful and positive impact that taking the time to "stop and smell the roses" (sorry) can deliver to ones very psyche seems to be unknown, forever lost or perhaps, just ignored by many of us. How did this happen? What factors perpetuate this selfish, though possibly mutually beneficial simple act of awareness? Beats me. Maybe such "numbness" is simply a symptom of that insidious disease commonly known as The Dumbing Down Of America. Don't we all want to understand and to be understood? I do. So,I try.

    Of course, these questions weren't answered in The Giant Mechanical Man, but I've never seen a movie come closer to clearly illustrating those truths. This beautifully written, acted and photographed film is a gem!

    See it. See it without wearing your critic's eyeglasses...shields down! If you do, you'll be rewarded

    THANK YOU!

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jenna Fischer and the director Lee Kirk are married.
    • Goofs
      When Janice's sister and brother-in-law are leaving the restaurant on the double-date, Janice's brother-in-law accidentally leaves with a dinner napkin under his coat.
    • Quotes

      Tim: I think you're just... great. Because you know what's so great about you? You're real. You don't pretend like you've got it all figured out, like everyone else walking around life. You're real. You're genuine, and you notice things, too. You pay attention. Like the monkeys. I don't know. I look at you, and... I can see you. I see you. I don't know. I just think you're great.

    • Crazy credits
      In the first section of the final credits, there are short scenes that are the natural follow-up for the film's story.
    • Alternate versions
      There are two versions available. Runtimes are "1h 35m (95 min)" (worldwide release) and "1h 34m(94 min) (United States)".
    • Connections
      Featured in The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Episode #20.141 (2012)
    • Soundtracks
      Kids Will Be Skeletons
      Written by Stuart Braithwaite

      Performed by Mogwai

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    FAQ18

    • How long is The Giant Mechanical Man?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 27, 2012 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Chuyện tình người khổng lồ
    • Filming locations
      • Detroit, Michigan, USA
    • Production companies
      • Votiv Films
      • ITS Capital
      • Taggart Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $7,396
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $1,789
      • Apr 29, 2012
    • Gross worldwide
      • $7,396
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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    Jenna Fischer and Chris Messina in The Giant Mechanical Man (2012)
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