Matinee
1993, Comedy, 1h 39m
37 Reviews 5,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Smart, funny, and disarmingly sweet, Matinee is a film that film buffs will love -- and might even convert some non-believers. Read critic reviews
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Where to watch
Matinee Videos
Matinee Photos
Movie Info
In October 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis occurs and the menace of nuclear war looms over the American South. Low-budget filmmaker Lawrence Woolsey (John Goodman) is in Key West, Fla., debuting his new film "Mant!" and thinks the prevailing mood of fear surrounding the premiere is perfect to stir up some excitement. A group of local teenagers (Simon Fenton, Lisa Jakub, Kellie Martin) prepare for the film's opening night, experiencing small crises of their own.
Cast & Crew
John Goodman
Lawrence Woolsey
Lawrence Woolsey
Cathy Moriarty
Ruth Corday, Carole
Ruth Corday, Carole
Simon Fenton
Gene Loomis
Gene Loomis
Omri Katz
Stan
Stan
Lisa Jakub
Sandra
Sandra
Kellie Martin
Sherry
Sherry
Critic Reviews for Matinee
Audience Reviews for Matinee
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Jun 24, 2021Joe Dante crafts a very feel-good homage to the United States that was before the onslaught and ravages of Beatlemania. John Goodman is a type of William Castle, entrepreneur extraordinaire, hawking his brand of hucksterism on an unsuspecting and gullible public, living on a prayer with Cathy Moriarty as his sidekick - on the clock and the clock is ticking - as they stop in Key West to push his latest opus creature feature. As fear of the possibility of atomic holocaust is only a stone's throw away, Castro and the Cuban Missile Crisis, can anything slow the raging capitalism of Goodman's latter day P.T. Barnum? It's all in good fun, a nostalgic tribute to a brief moment of innocence here in the US, a fond remembrance by Dante.Kevin M. W Super Reviewer
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Mar 13, 2021A complex and hilarious nostalgia piece. I love the "Mant" sequences which are perfectly goofy.Alec B Super Reviewer
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Jun 06, 2011a funny, innocent, and kindhearted film with a funny way to express itself from a nucular bomb that's about to hit them in a few days. AJuan C Super Reviewer
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May 14, 2010John Goodman as William Castle? Directed by Joe Dante? FUCK yes!Eduardo C Super Reviewer
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