Who's in It: Christopher Plummer, Robert Wagner, Michael Angarano, M. Emmet Walsh
The Basics: Plummer is an alcoholic former gaffer from back in the glory days of Citizen Kane. He hangs out at a theater where they show old films. He yells at the screen a lot. The movie-obsessed kid who becomes his protégé thinks this type of behavior is not only acceptable but charming. And this is why theaters are in such a state of disarray right now; it's anarchy in those places. Anyway, they become pals, and the old guy helps the kid make a movie for a contest, one in which the privileged bully son of a studio big shot is also involved and gunning for our hero. Oh, the sneers, threats and taunts.
What's the Deal? You know, I was waiting for another crusty-old-drunkard-meets-and-mentors-fresh-faced-young-dork movie. Because that one from last year, the weird sexual-subtext one with Nick Nolte as the magical garage mechanic and the shirtless college gymnast guy … I forget what it was called, Private Lessons maybe, that one wasn't lame enough for me. I needed a fresh one for '07. So thanks, Cinema; you always provide the stupidest thing at just the right moment.
The Up Side:
1. It's not about sports.
2. The teen bully is so ineffectual that Zac Efron could probably beat him up.
3. There's a montage about how the young filmmaking kid learns about montage.
4. You'll finally learn what a gaffer does.
Flashback Hell: In a special bit of bad overacting, we're treated to an old black-and-white recreation of how Orson Welles, while directing Citizen Kane, gave the young version of Plummer his nickname. That nickname is "Flash." The guy playing Welles growls and barks like crazy, providing the only genuine bit of humor.
Part That's Not Annoying: Several scenes were shot at Los Angeles' lovably dumpy New Beverly Cinema, a repertory house where you can go see old movies from Godard to The Goonies, in a suitably run-down setting. If you ever visit L.A., you should go see whatever they happen to be showing that day, because you'll have a good time.