Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.

Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

I say it's the best movie of the year. I say this not only as a writer, but as a black man.

So while I was not aware of the guy depicted here (and how he changed the comedy industry in America and therefor around the world too) and was more aware of ZAZ connection, I found out I am not alone with my lack of knowledge. And the movie is here to rectify this, although you could also call it an almost documentary. One that breaks the 4th wall quite a lot.We get introduced to the character right off the bat and because I had no idea what he looks like I couldn't tell if he played himself in older age (though that is something that will be clear towards the end, if you didn't know already yourself). The we get quite a few comedy talents of our recent times, playing quite a few of comedy legends of that time the movie depicting. It is funny, but it is also weird and therefor not really for everyone. I like the fact this dares to be different, I can't say if that rings true for you

A Futile and Stupid Gesture is a terrific movie with a very well developed plot and an outstanding comedic cast. It was a really fascinating, unconventional biography film as we follow the origins of how the successful magazine company National Lamppon came about. Following its founders Douglas Kenney and Henry Beard, as they take a giant leap and soon have a smash hit, it was interesting to discover some amazing facts about the company and its various members that I never knew about, with some unexpected turns throughout. I did think that the film could have had some moments of taking itself a bit more seriously. It remains slapstick and manic for the majority of it, which I quite enjoyed, but then when it tries to be sentimental towards the end, I could not take it in because it had been so goofy prior. The performances are all are around brilliant, and it was very interesting to see actors take on such well known comedians. Will Forte and Donhnall Gleeson are spectacular as Kenney and Beard, respectively, but other standouts also include Martin Mull as an older Doug Kenney, Jon Daly as Bill Murray, Joel McHale as Chevy Chase and Rick Glassman as Harold Ramis. Great fun from beginning to end. Hilarious, brilliantly acted and a fascinating true story, I would recommend A Futile and Stupid Gesture to anyone looking for a good comedy. Follows Doug Kenney and Henry Beard as they create the National Lampoon, the R rated magazine that soon becomes a global phenomenon. Best Performance: Will Forte

POILER: I really enjoyed this film. I have watched several of the documentaries concerning Animal House and Caddyshack and Doug Kenney's name comes up quite often amongst the cast and crew. Chevy Chase and he were really close and Chevy still feels some guilt over leaving Hawaii right before Kenney's death. The man was apparently a comic genius who couldn't escape his childhood baggage.The format is well played with Will Forte as the young Doug and Martin Mull as kind of older, alternate universe Doug, if Kenney had lived, narrating the film. The rest of the cast is well known, playing unknown actors and writers. It took me a second to recognize Natasha Lyonne (American Pie) as Anne Beatts, Thomas Lennon (Reno 911) as Micheal O'Donoghue, and Joel McHale (Community) as Chevy Chase. All of them are covered in 70s hairstyles and McHale does a really good job of mimicking Chase's speech patterns and even his trademark pratfalls.The film excels in showing how Kenney rose from a malcontent to a Harvard grad to a fledgling magazine editor to movie writer. Forte is especially compelling and funny as Kenney. He doesn't quite have the acting range to pull off the downward spiral of the person, but he does an excellent job with the jokes and the other aspects of Kenney's life. Where the film fails is trying to shoehorn too many characters into its 100 minute run time. There is even a humorous scene of older Kenney (Mull) explaining to a bunch of supporting characters that there wasn't enough screen time for all of them so they get ignored. But the film goes to great pains to cram in other famous people such as Gilda Radner, Christopher Guess (Seth Green), Bill Murray, and John Belushi. The actors playing Murray and Belushi came off as actors lampooning (no pun intended) the famous comedians. Belushi was such a huge personality, I doubt anyone could portray him properly in such a short cameo.Another special mention goes out to Emmy Rossum. She is a stunning screen presence and even though her appearance is short, as Kenney's last girlfriend, she lights up the screen. She is a gorgeous actress as well.There is also a fun nod to Animal House with Mark Metcalf (Neidermeyer) portraying a publisher.The movie moves fast through the various periods of Kenney's life, but I think he would have enjoyed it. He comes off as funny, yet troubled, a brilliant comedian, but an emotionally stinted adult. A Futile and Stupid Gesture is anything but. The only thing I would have added, is maybe some post interviews with the actual people portrayed in the movie who knew Kenney, even if they were archival for some (Belushi and Ramis). Still, this was a well-done film.