Hey, Hansel! Where's Gretel?
The liberal film community of Hollywood prides itself on identity politics, taking a strong stand for the downtrodden and disenfranchised in our society. Yet the film "Walk of Fame" plays out like a string of jokes aimed against the gay, lesbian, dwarf, and the obese, going against the grain of the liberal Hollywood "message." Is this supposed to be good fun at the expense of those who are marginalized in today's world?The flimsy plot concerned a law school grad unable to pass the bar or hold a job, who joins a studio for amateur actors run by a charlatan. The young man named Drew is not interested in acting, but is attracted to a young woman who is a student in the acting school.
Malcolm McDowell plays the phony acting guru, who exploits the acting students for profit. His main teaching method is to challenge the students to "discover the beast" within them that will allow them to express emotional outbursts on stage.
The film takes the form of "putting on a play," as the amateur actors will showcase their abilities for star-searching agents and talent scouts. The final performance wasn't funny or well-acted.
This film was written and directed by Jesse Thomas, who also plays the role of Drew's "new age" roommate named Hansel. It was never made clear how Hansel suddenly inserts himself into the actors' showcase, playing the role of the hero! Hansel never pays the fee to take acting classes, nor does he rehearse for the production. He merely shows up and upstages the other actors. Who knows? Perhaps Hansel was searching for Gretel!
Overall, this was a lackluster comedy produced by amateur actors. There may be an occasional one-liner that is humorous, but the film as a whole does not hold together. Rather, it resembles a high school skit or frat house party extravaganza.
score /10
lavatch 27 June 2017
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3740523/35864
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