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The Anarchist Cookbook (2003)
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Reviews Counted:18
Fresh:7
Rotten:11
Average Rating:4.2/10
Rated: R [See Full Rating] language, sexuality and drug content
Runtime: 1 hr 41 mins
Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release:Jul 18, 2003 Limited
Synopsis: Inspired by the legendary 1960s radical handbook of the same name, this debut film from director-screenwriter Jordan Susman tells the coming-of-age story of a group of friends living in a... Inspired by the legendary 1960s radical handbook of the same name, this debut film from director-screenwriter Jordan Susman tells the coming-of-age story of a group of friends living in a slackerish, anarchist commune in Dallas, Texas. The film is narrated in voice-overs from the film's antihero, the group leader, Puck (Devon Gummersall). Puck is a genius college dropout who inspires the group with a relatively low-key, utopian view of radical existence. Together with pranksters Double D (Steve Van Wormer) and Sweeney (Johnny Whitworth); sexy swinging feminist Karla (Gina Philips); and aging hippie Johnny Red (John Savage); Puck rails against globalization, Starbucks, and other stereotypical anticapitalist concerns. Their idea of anarchy is primarily about freedom and fun; more peace than protest. That is, until their commune is invaded by newcomer Johnny Black (Dylan Bruno), a nihilistic anarchist who favors a more violent, guerilla-warfare approach. Toting explosives, Johnny Black turns Puck's peaceful utopia upside down. Black's influence sets off a series of violent events, which land Puck in his hometown of Plano, Texas under house arrest. Once there, he meets and falls in love with Jody (Katharine Towne), a sexy Young Republican. Together with Jody, Puck plots the downfall of Johnny Black in a darkly comic and satirical finale. [More]
Starring: Devon Gummersall, Dylan Bruno, Katharine Towne, Steve Van Wormer
Starring: Devon Gummersall, Dylan Bruno, Katharine Towne, Steve Van Wormer, Johnny Whitworth, Gina Philips, John Savage
Director: Jordan Susman
Director: Jordan Susman
Screenwriter: Jordan Susman
Producer: Robert Latham Brown, Amy Greenspun, Jordan Susman
Composer: Josh Kramon
Studio: Innovation Film Group
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Reviews for The Anarchist Cookbook
Jordan Susman a su transformer idéologies humanistes et mouvements activistes en une vulgaire parodie de leur propre silouhette
Offers not feast but famine...at its core Susman's film, despite its subject, is utterly conventional and as eager to please as a puppy dog.
The film feels as loose and unfocused as the collective's political beliefs, at times veering dangerously close to Animal House territory.
A lame contemporary comedy about a radical Dallas commune operating out of a bookstore.
The Anarchist Cookbook strains for a jazzy, Oliver Stone-ish look, but at its heart it is a placid and conventional moral tale about the dangers of wandering too far off the pathway.
Think of it as Fight Club Lite; the film may not fully explain Generation-Next ennui but it does have is a winning immediacy and agreeableness -- and Gummersall, who... delivers a crisp performance.
It's so devoid of a personal imprint that either Susman doesn’t have very clearly formed opinions himself or he isn't much good at getting them across to the audience.
Because it never develops its characters beyond types, it comes off as flat and forced throughout.
There's a good film waiting to be made on this subject. This isn't it.
he film aims to be thought-provoking and funny, but this reviewer only laughed twice, and was only provoked into one thought: How do you go from The Deer Hunter to this?
Susman has put together a well-crafted, witty commentary on corporate culture and the deals all of us make with ourselves to come to terms with modern existence.
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