Madtown (2016) User Reviews

Interesting script, mediocre execution

[shane1181 · 5/10 · 28 February 2020]

Most of the places I've worked were small with bosses who treated me just like part of their family, perhaps more so than my own, so I could relate to that aspect of this story. Therefore I disagree with those who felt it wasn't realistic (and who cares if it weren't anyway, it's a story !)

I just felt like the timing was way off for everything. Several of the leads acted their parts expertly, but much of the rest of the cast was mediocre. Three weeks isn't long enough to get to know anyone to be treating them like long lost children I think. And I don't want to spoil the ending, so all I will say about that is the cops were some of the worst actors I've ever seen.

Amateur Night

[filmfancy · 5/10 · 15 September 2018]

The film began with promise. A nervous edgy guy is about to perform his stand-up routine at a comedy club for the first time. We get the impression he has nothing to lose. What has brought him to this point?

The rest of the film is flashbacks recalling his traumatic past, leading up to an improved present day situation until his incarcerated sister is paroled after 20 years and comes to live with him. Seems like she hasn't changed at all while he has.

The problem I had was not in the storyline but in the contrived writing. The sister was a one-dimensional character. She was rough and angry as a teenager and hasn't changed, becoming a bully toward her brother despite their so-called intense bond. He claims to love her, inviting her to stay with him upon her release from prison but later on tells her he doesn't love her anymore. Which is it?

The restaurant employers and employees are like a happy loving family. Every day is like a love fest. Difficult to relate to such an artificial situation. Employers don't generally treat their employees like family and vice versa.

Milo Ventimiglio's acting left much to be desired. He couldn't quite pull off the heavily emotional scenes. He was, however, great doing the stand-up routine a la Lenny Bruce.

The last part leading up to him deciding to go through with his performance strained credulity. He's just witnessed something extremely traumatic and then he runs off to perform. Very strange. Also very strange and very contrived were those two cops being the same guys from high school who used to torment Denny and his sister. Wow. Small world.

Worthy

[fmwongmd · 6/10 · 23 April 2020]

Good story with some good acting and characterizations far and beyond the usual celluloid. Milo Ventimiglia and Rachel Melvin are effective in their roles..

Great movie

[jwadoc · 20 March 2020]

So different and unique. I loved it. More movies like this. Reminds me of the joker but better

Are you kidding me

[dpenderle · 3/10 · 25 January 2020]

What could have been a really beautiful movie ended up being a total mess. It's like the movie makers had no plan on how to finish the story and went for chaos.. A total eye roll Any kind of reality went right out the door

An Emotionally Powerful Movie

[markgallup · 8/10 · 11 January 2018]

This movie has a very powerful story and themes. It goes deep into the human mind and finds how relationships work. The characters are likable and interesting with more to them than what appears on the surface. It is paced very well and is very impressive.

The only issues I have is the score is severely lacking in identity and doesn't feel organic and the ending, while has some very powerful moments, leaves some plot lines unfinished. I would recommend this to nearly anyone, the story (even if you can't find it too relatable) has a lot of things to say about love, family, and your past.

Wanted to give it a 1

[sfheriford · 4/10 · 9 February 2020]

The acting was top notch, the story was easy to follow, even switching back and forth frompast and present! the ending, or what should have been one, absolutely made me feel the writers ran out of ideas. Maybe they expected us to create our own ending, but it destroyed all the good points they had already created. Such a letdown going immediately from a good movie into nowhere. If this is in some way a spoiler, I apologize for no warning, but for those who hate to be left hanging after you spent time being involved, then pass this up. Last two minutes ruined the entire movie. Many different ways to really complete this movie was too much effort for writwers or did a deadline force such a joke of an ending? wondering what ending those who loved it made up in their own minds? Happy everafter or the truth comes out?

It hit home for me.....that's all that matters.

[caseypthompson · 9/10 · 24 January 2020]

You know what, some people like broccoli and some people don't. Maybe your parents forced you to eat raw broccoli as a kid and now you can't stand to look at. The thing is, I don't know your story and you don't know mine. I am an artist and get extremely irritated with Pollack paintings. But, that's almost sinful to say in the art world. Point: some people may see this movie as a dramatic feature with a lot of scenarios that just don't happen in real life. Like the cops scene at the end......really unlikely, right? But, art is art......and art affects people in different ways for different reasons. It's meant to make an impact....and that doesn't always mean that it has to seem completely believable. What fictional drama really is? If you want the truth, stick with still-life paintings and documentaries. If you want something that makes you feel all sorts of emotions, then go look at Frida Kahlo's work and watch this movie.

Some reviews mock the "family-like" relationship at the restaurant. Like, how could any six people really be that close and love each other that much when they are technically just employees and employers? Maybe it is contrived, but do you know why I found that part of this movie, this painting....beautiful? Because it's something I've always wanted. It's a dream of mine to have a loving mother and friends by your side like brothers and sisters and everyone works great together and takes care of each other. I find that beautiful because I DESIRE it within myself.

Maybe you don't understand the sister. Maybe she's too intense and crazy and her character makes no sense. Maybe you've never been abused or raped or beaten. Because if you haven't? You wouldn't understand the insanity that can lie asleep beneath your deepest darkest secrets that you mask over with polite howdy-do's and do nots. Again, her character seemed unbelievable and melodramatic, but I felt her pain because part of her rage and anger is within me because of my own life drama. So to me? I found it compelling.

Maybe the main character Denny seemed too robotic and not very convincing from an emotional standpoint. But for me? I know what it's like to be buried under years of trauma and unable to be myself and to constantly have everyone at arms length and push and push and push with all my might so that I may not be hurt again.

This movie will impact you if it's meant to, just like a Jackson Pollack painting. Maybe you are more of a Monet or Dali or Kahlo fan. And, why do you connect to those works more than other artists? What in your life made you love the things you love? What made you hate the things you hate?

To call this film a contrived drama with no point only tells me that maybe you haven't had the life experiences to appreciate this film. Or maybe it's just not for your heart to connect to. And, that's okay.

I mean, I think The Sound Of Music and Titanic and so many of these so well-loved classics are hokey and boring. Maybe I got burnt too young too fast and I prefer dramatic and heavy art that taps at my very own piano strings, such as this film. And this film? It was a beautiful piece of art that I will never be able to touch, but can find its meaning to be powerful all the same.

To each their own.

Unrealistic and ultimately depressing

[cryconscry · 5/10 · 7 October 2020]

While I don't necessarily mind if a film is depressing if everything else works, when it is done so by way of creating a world that doesn't ring true, that signals a failure to me. I think the writing is probably the ultimate culprit, although you might be able to make a case for the editing to have a hand in it. Things like there only being 6 or 7 people to run the restaurant that Milo's character works at, the overly convenient final scene where Milo is confronted by characters from his past, and the stand-up crowd's reaction to his stand-up (especially the final scene of it), just didn't ring true, and made the writing look lazy. The actors did very well with what they were given and other film elements were on par with most films these days, but the story and its particulars failed in the end. Spend 2 hours of your life another way.

An Emotionally Powerful Movie....If you are simple minded.

[joelweinmaster · 4/10 · 11 April 2018]

I don't know what's going on with people these days... Was everyone stoned that gave this movie a high score? That movie got a 6.7 on IMDB.... It's like if people film these movies in a certain way they immediately think it's good.. Why aren't people thinking anymore?

Like if you make scenes overly dramatics for the sake of drama, that makes the acting good and intense? Even if it's totally unnecessary and doesn't make sense to the plot? They didn't do any character development and then all of a sudden every seen with two characters talking they put the ominous music in almost to tell the user that they should feel empathy for the character blindly... My parents and I were laughing at the overuse of the same dramatic music used over and over in every scene. The only time that piece of music made sense was at the end of the movie.

*SPOILERS HEREIN* And who in their 30s or late 20s takes someone to a highs chool and BREAKS IN? for a date? Great idea. Also the female lead was WAY too hot to be believable that buddy wouldn't be into her and pass up hanging out with her..

That movie was comically bad... for so many reasons... I give it a 4 as I still wanted to see what happened even though the director was on vacation during the filming of this.

A man travels in search of his needs and returns home to find them.

[nogodnomasters · 9/10 · 30 January 2018]

The film centers on the life of Denny Briggs (Milo Ventimiglia) who we first meet doing stand-up comedy. We then watch the events leading up to this point, including his tragic childhood. His sister Madison (Amanda Aday) is in jail for protecting him from his parents. Denny starts to work at the Miller's restaurant, where they treat him like the family he always wanted. This is contrasted by his actual family when his sister is released from jail and becomes the family he doesn't want. Is blood thicker than water?

This is an engaging drama that may not appeal to everyone due to the speed and length. The acting was top notch and the idea of what constitutes a family is challenged.

Guide: F-word. Implied sex. No nudity.

How?

[brettklein-49735 · 2/10 · 6 January 2018]

Terrible acting, terrible Cohen brothers rip off with an early Luc Besson spice. Don't waste your time... unless candid rip off's are your fetish.

Highly Recommend

[Miranda1216 · 8/10 · 18 November 2018]

My husband and I liked this movie a lot. Although the storyline is tragic at its core, it had inspirational value that even through the darkest realities of life, love and hope can be sought and found in the most surprising simplistic aspects of life. I thought the acting quality was excellent. Great job actors and Charles Moore for putting together a great movie filmed in Cleveland Ohio.

After school special

[fenixx5 · 3/10 · 23 February 2020]

This was a gigantic waste of time. Had two or three interesting scenes. Sort of. At times I felt like I was watching an 80's sitcom, or an after-school special. That's gonna be a No from me.

Highly engaging...much recommended

[del-665-4831 · 8/10 · 1 April 2016]

I have not seen a movie this good in years. It was produced with a very small budget, according to the director and producers, but has the look and feel of a large studio release. The movie is well cast, the acting is excellent. The story is well structured and the characters are believable and engaging. Everything is well put together from the editing to the soundtrack. Not for youngsters for sure, and even if you think you know where the story is going, you will be in for a surprise here and there. No car chase scenes with vehicles flying over gorges, no over-the-top pyrotechnics, no super heroes with magic powers...just a good story, well told. I encourage you to see this film when it is playing near you, or ask your local independent theater to inquire about showing it at their venue.

A must see Independent Film!

[kellizaranka · 10/10 · 10 January 2018]

Great! Truly made an impact! Milo Ventimiglia is exceptional!

definitely worth a watch and your time

[kavak-82353 · 8/10 · 8 January 2018]

Engaging characters and good story line, its a good independent film. check out reviews at rotten tomatoes. the story is very believable and engaging. quality actors

Must watch!

[patriotparksmanagement · 10/10 · 5 February 2018]

Madtown is a captivating drama that will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. It won't disappoint and it is definitely a must see!

Great Movie! A Must See Independent Film.

[shawnjohanson · 9/10 · 1 February 2018]

This film was great. There is a lot of drama and comedy, and a few twist. Milo (from This Is Us Tv Show) did a wonderful job with his character. Rachel Melvin (Fom Dumb and Dumber To) was also great with her role. I have seen it twice and the second time was even better.

Much better than expected!

[R_Alex_Jenkins · 8/10 · 21 October 2020]

I found myself quite emotionally involved with the characters in this film, which was a surprise considering I took a blind chance at Madtown with no expectations, analysis or prior reading of reviews, especially as the acting from the outset, outside the comedy club, was quite poor and there really isn't anything mad or comical about this film.

The title of this film is quite misleading as there's no real craziness until the misshapen twists at the end, and considering the main protagonist aspires to be a stand-up comedian, there's nothing particularly funny about it either, in fact, the whole film is rather somber, profound and really, surprisingly, quite loving.

The main juxtaposition that this file poses is the relationship between 'Denny' and his sister, who is quite angry, vindictive and scary, and his new relationship with his colleagues at the restaurant, and then seeing Denny transform into a caring and gentle individual, who is still confused by the shelled-off cocoon of his old self, and it was quite lovely seeing these shackles being broken away from, but with the ever-brooding and rearing presence of his sister after she is released from jail, impeding and affecting his freedom and ability to be happy, even denying himself some sweet and redeeming love in the process.

Madtown is mostly well acted, as well as being rather endearing and well thought out. OK, there are some plodding moments and I didn't find the comedy moments funny at all due to the sinister atmosphere always hanging around, but it's a well played and quite engrossing film nonetheless.

Excellent

[DarknessVisible20 · 10/10 · 1 January 2023]

A terrific and very touching movie. The perfect balance of drama and thriller, with just enough light-heartedness and comic relief at times. Beautiful acting all around. You can't help but love everyone at the restaurant. Such a breath of fresh air seeing a group of people - coworkers no less - interact in such a positive and caring way. My heart went out to Denny, and I appreciate all too well his struggle to rise from the ashes and trauma of his past. A beautifully told story. The ending feels a bit incomplete, but doesn't go off a cliff, you can conclude for yourself how things end. This one is a hidden gem, definitely one of the best drama-thrillers I've seen in a long time.

A must see Suspenseful Film!

[newberrydanny · 9/10 · 1 February 2018]

The creativity the director put into this film is outstanding. A phenomenal script from start to finish! A must see!

Missed opportunity but, overall decent movie

[kalithor · 8/10 · 22 February 2020]

This movie could have a been a good opportunity to talk about bullying, watching the school scenes I was waiting for someone to bring up the fact the 2 kids were being bullied and she was just defending her brother (who had issues] It's a dark story about family bonds and finding our place in this crazy world and getting past bad memories. the story kept me interested in the story start to finish. In the mood for a good drama, give this movie a chance.

Very well done

[dosbear · 10/10 · 2 January 2024]

This is by far one of the best movies I've seen in quite some time. It leaves you wanting more. It's extremely under rated. Don't trust the nay sayers and judge for yourself.

This is by far one of the best movies I've seen in quite some time. It leaves you wanting more. It's extremely under rated. Don't trust the nay sayers and judge for yourself.

This is by far one of the best movies I've seen in quite some time. It leaves you wanting more. It's extremely under rated. Don't trust the nay sayers and judge for yourself.

This is by far one of the best movies I've seen in quite some time. It leaves you wanting more. It's extremely under rated. Don't trust the nay sayers and judge for yourself.