The Amateurs
Director: Michael Traeger
Actors: Jeff Bridges, Ted Danson, Joe Pantoliano
PlotIn a small, nondescript town in America, Andy Sargentee, a down-on-his-luck and perpetually optimistic man, finds himself at a crossroads in life. Divorced and unhappy with his current state of affairs, he becomes motivated by a desire to achieve something significant and leave a legacy for his son. Struggling to find a direction, Andy is struck with an unconventional and risqué idea to make his mark on the world. He decides to produce an amateur pornographic film, believing it to be his ticket to financial success and personal fulfillment. Obsessed with the thought of turning his luck around, Andy sets out to convince his eclectic group of friends to join him on this venture, each bringing their own unique skills to the project.
As Andy and his team embark on their filmmaking journey, they encounter a series of comedic and unforeseen challenges. The group, composed of characters like a principled hardware store owner, a desperate for love barkeep, and an electronics salesman, among others, initially struggles with the concept and the logistics of their undertaking. Their amateur status, lack of experience in the film industry, and the conservative nature of their town add layers of difficulty to their mission. Despite the obstacles, their camaraderie and shared sense of purpose drive them to push forward, leading to humorous and heartwarming situations. Through their adventure, they explore themes of friendship, ambition, and the search for meaning in an ordinary life, all while trying to keep their project a secret from the rest of the town.
Writers: Michael Traeger
Release Date: 28 Apr 2006
Runtime: 96 min
Rating: R
Country: United States, Germany
Language: English
Home Video Reviews
'The Amateurs' charms but falters in Blu-ray quality; best as a rental.
Read our review of The Amateurs Blu-ray to find out more