Zero Charisma

The negative reviews here are most likely from guys for whom this movie struck a nerve. The acting and writing are excellent. You know this because this movie actually causes the viewer to feel compassion for and root for a character who is very nearly a complete solipsistic, self-absorbed buffoon. I don't know how someone could view it and find no comedy in it, unless they so strongly identify with the main character that they too acutely feel his pain. I was chuckling throughout and the perfectly delivered line "You wish!" made me lose it.

A big part of the humor is that the main character is a devotee of what is itself even a fading form of nerddom: the Dungeons and Dragons inspired tabletop fantasy role-playing game, and that he's even been able to assemble a clique of players for his own homemade, unpublished specimen. It's one of those domains in which the competition is so fierce because the stakes are so small.

The movie reminded me a little of the also excellent Big Fan (2009), another humorous character study of an obsessed man-child.

I was surprised, after watching it, to see how old this movie was. The actors in it, esp. The lead, deserve more additional roles and recognition than they've gotten.

This film was more a tragedy than a comedy. It follows the trials of Scott an overweight D&D aficionado who lives utterly for and mostly in the fantasy world he has created for his fellow gamers. He has no girlfriend, prospects, true friends or social life outside his D&D set. Whenever he is faced with any challenge to his world he flies into a childlike tantrum only serving to make things worse. Because of this last I had very little pity for Scott and in most cases thought he received his just desserts.

The plot of the film doesn't really progress anywhere although Sam Eidson's portrayal of Scott was superb. The film revolves utterly around Scott so the poor performances of the remaining cast go unnoticed.

This film is not a "Comedy." I did not laugh once. Considering the sad and depressing nature of Scott's life and the fact that he appears to learn no real lesson or change any facet of his character by the film's conclusion it can only be seen as a tragedy. And a poor one at that.

This was a really funny little film, and one that you should definitely see if you like tabletop games or nerd culture in general. The characters of this film are perfect representations of the kind of people you meet if you are into this scene.

Sam Eidson is completely spot on as the overweight fantasy loving neckbearded manchild Scott and is a perfect caricature of the overbearing control freak Gamemasters that I have met many times. Watching him alienate everyone around him is painful to watch but at the same time hilarious

A very funny film, and one that actually manages to captures how socially stunted and unbearable these people can be.

There is no need, what so ever, to have a knowledge of or background in computer gaming or board game role playing to enjoy this fine movie! The theme of the movie is built around gamers and their circle of fellow players who happen to be slightly socially inept and the clash of ego.

Scott - the game master or grand master - fulfills his ego by lording over his fellow players while creating his own world in the 'game'. Because outside of the 'game' he is a nobody, no real friends, no social life, no job. He is bossed around by his elderly grandmother and his mother (who abandoned him early in his life). Why the mother shows up in the story - you'll have to watch the movie! Then Scott finds his imaginary world and his marginal home life kicked out from under his control - he is lost - but determined to prove himself which only creates more chaos in his emotional world. He seems to learn his lesson about himself - but does he in the end?

The movie is a finely acted indie flick that addresses some element in many people and is told in such a way that you sympathize with these lost souls. There aren't any truly laugh out loud moments but some moments to chuckle at this collection of odd but well meaning people.

Really refreshing to see a flick that demonstrates so amply what can be achieved with just a good script.Solid characterization and some truly great moments for those who like their comedy with cringe.Fell down a little in the denouement,but clever pop culture referencing comedy with some genuine heartfelt moments. Especially interesting for those of us who grew up in the era of D&D, before video games ruled the earth,but not essential to have been there to get it.I haven't come across this group of actors before other than a the odd bit part, but there is the makings of an interesting ensemble cast here I think. Keen to see where some of the people who made this go from here.