The film is strongest in its first third, where all the jokes are.

| Jan 5, 2023

It is a very interesting proposal to understand a little better the whole process that may be behind the comedy genre. [Full Review in Spanish]

| Jul 31, 2019

There's more to this Futile and Stupid Gesture than a line-up of celebrity impressions.

| Apr 16, 2019

A Futile and Stupid Gesture is plenty watchable, well-paced with a few solid bits. Unfortunately, the film never does much more than scratch the surface.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Feb 8, 2019

The sometimes goofy and oftentimes playfully irreverent retelling of Doug Kenney's life story seems to fit the man well.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 21, 2018

Forte, Wain, and the rest of the cast do their best to honor the icon, and the result is an extremely fun meta-comedy.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 10, 2018

Stupid, well yes, but far from futile.

| Original Score: B+ | Aug 14, 2018

A celebration of comedy and creativity, and especially the singular brand of both that Kenney's publication became renowned for.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Mar 19, 2018

Although depicting the founding of National Lampoon as well as the making of 'Animal House' and 'Caddyshack,' two movie comedies now beloved by fans throughout the world, this film seems jumbled and hard to follow.

| Feb 22, 2018

Comedy writer's success and sorrow; drugs, sex, cursing.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 6, 2018

A Futile And Stupid Gesture is, ultimately, anything but pointless, exploring an important moment in pop culture through the life of a man who captured its essence as well as the people who made him an institution.

| Feb 6, 2018

For those unfamiliar with the details, there's a neat narrative curve ball in the final act. Stupid: For sure. But futile? Hardly.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 5, 2018

An irreverent, entertaining biopic...

| Original Score: 3/4 | Feb 5, 2018

An alternately funny and poignant rampage through National Lampoon history

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 2, 2018

The sad-clown image may be a cliché, but there's nothing trite about this movie's handling of Kenney's story.

| Feb 2, 2018

In the hands of another director, this film might have felt procedural, but Wain adds in the asides and inside jokes and fourth-wall-breaking that made WHAS so unique.

| Feb 1, 2018

While he fails to unearth anything new, Wain gets by on enthusiasm, creating a valentine to the magazine and its love of anarchy.

| Original Score: B- | Feb 1, 2018

A move that, if nothing else, shockingly abandons the traditional rags-to-riches-to-rags-to-redemption four-part trajectory to which nearly every biopic slavishly adheres.

| Feb 1, 2018

The result is a colorful, crazy, and occasionally tasteless movie. One suspects that Doug Kenney would have approved.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Jan 31, 2018

A subtle reminder that the Left would destroy National Lampoon if it came of age today.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jan 31, 2018