I can absolutely see this plot done in the '40s with any of the screwball comedy stars.
It's well made, top to bottom, one of those that feels like everyone involved went home satisfied with their work.
It is amusing to watch actors so capable of intensity 'play house with the kids'. It took a while to stop expecting someone to pick up a baseball bat and beat somebody to death.
62 Reviews
Quirky but too slow...
mccabegabe1 January 2020
The movie has a great feel to it with cool retro production design. But ultimately, the story is just kind of slow. A guy in a marriage crisis dresses up as a gorilla one night when he gets sloppy drunk and runs around town, causing witnesses to believe they've seen Bigfoot. Every - including a reality TV monster hunter - descend on the small town. But it's really more of a premise than a story that pulls you along. Plus it's quirky with some fun moments, but it's not really LOL funny.
Weird - but on purpose
thecrafts-6671020 December 2019
This was not like any "Christmas" movie I'veever seen - if it even qualifies as a Christmas movie. Because it was so zany, at first I thought it was really bad acting or a really dumb script. But there are some accomplished actors on here who have acting skills. So what was I missing? After pondering this (for slightly more time than the Grinch pondered why The Who's were still celebrating on Christmas morning), it occurred to me. This is purposeful "camp." Kind of like Napoleon Dynamite. But I'm guessing so few people will ever see it that it will die a slow death and end up at Dollar Tree for $1. Give it a chance and keep an open mind - it is supposed to be dumb!
Bizarre Fun Watch
michelleganer6 July 2020
Ok so this is definitely not your run of the mill Christmas Film, in fact I'm not sure it's really a Christmas Film at all, but it is a truly fun, bizarre ride that stars Michael Shannon as a stereo typical general store owner that not so stereo typically accidentally becomes Bigfoot and in doing so saves his small town that is struggling to survive during rough economic times.
It's got a Coen Brothers tongue and cheek feel to it all; think O Brother Where Art Thou meets It's a Wonderful Life. The cast is truly top notch. Alongside Shannon, Judy Greer stars as the loveable shop-keeper; Ron Perlman stars as the local sheriff who's cheating with Shannon's wife, Christina Hendricks, and Thomas Lennon and Ian McShane battle as two capable and incapable hunters of Bigfoot.
It's a bizarre story indeed but if you are willing to jump on board and go for the ride, it's truly a fun one. Henrikson in his directing debut does not take himself overly serious, but creates an interesting juxtaposition by overly playing the earnestness of some truly bizarre circumstances (Ron Perlman and Christina Hendricks cheating on Michael Shannon IN HIS OWN BEDROOM while wearing FURRY COSTUMES, Michael Shannon getting extremely drunk and dressing up as Bigfoot and then deciding that he must continue to dress up as Bigfoot to save his town, Thomas Lennon as an "Australian?" Bigfoot Hunter seeking the help from a grizzled moonshiner, Ian McShane, to hunt down and possibly kill Bigfoot). The camera adds a fun sense of whimsicality to the story, hearkening imagery from Jean-Pierre Jeunet films.
I'm not sure what this film is. It's kind of a Christmas Story, but not really. It's kind of a drama about a small town falling on hard times, but not really. It's kind of a monster hunter broad comedy, but not really. But whatever it is, it somehow bizarrely worked for me, but walk into it knowing it's a little different.
It's got a Coen Brothers tongue and cheek feel to it all; think O Brother Where Art Thou meets It's a Wonderful Life. The cast is truly top notch. Alongside Shannon, Judy Greer stars as the loveable shop-keeper; Ron Perlman stars as the local sheriff who's cheating with Shannon's wife, Christina Hendricks, and Thomas Lennon and Ian McShane battle as two capable and incapable hunters of Bigfoot.
It's a bizarre story indeed but if you are willing to jump on board and go for the ride, it's truly a fun one. Henrikson in his directing debut does not take himself overly serious, but creates an interesting juxtaposition by overly playing the earnestness of some truly bizarre circumstances (Ron Perlman and Christina Hendricks cheating on Michael Shannon IN HIS OWN BEDROOM while wearing FURRY COSTUMES, Michael Shannon getting extremely drunk and dressing up as Bigfoot and then deciding that he must continue to dress up as Bigfoot to save his town, Thomas Lennon as an "Australian?" Bigfoot Hunter seeking the help from a grizzled moonshiner, Ian McShane, to hunt down and possibly kill Bigfoot). The camera adds a fun sense of whimsicality to the story, hearkening imagery from Jean-Pierre Jeunet films.
I'm not sure what this film is. It's kind of a Christmas Story, but not really. It's kind of a drama about a small town falling on hard times, but not really. It's kind of a monster hunter broad comedy, but not really. But whatever it is, it somehow bizarrely worked for me, but walk into it knowing it's a little different.
Interesting Movie but not that funny..
rvprasanth17 December 2017
This movie suppose to be a comedy so i expected some laugh but there isn't any. There are some pretty good actors like Michael Shannon,Ian McShane,Judy Greer but i think the story doesn't provide much for them to work with.
I thought the costume of big foot should have been little more realistic so that the viewers could have enjoy it or created some kind of suspense. Though the plot revolves around the big foot there is nothing there as well. Thomas Lennon character does the same antics which we have seen in most of his movies, not that funny for me.
All in all the acting a descent, If you happened to get this movie and want to kill some time than give is short. Don't expect much. I give it 5/10.
I thought the costume of big foot should have been little more realistic so that the viewers could have enjoy it or created some kind of suspense. Though the plot revolves around the big foot there is nothing there as well. Thomas Lennon character does the same antics which we have seen in most of his movies, not that funny for me.
All in all the acting a descent, If you happened to get this movie and want to kill some time than give is short. Don't expect much. I give it 5/10.
I'm a wolf!
bensonmum223 December 2017
A down on its luck mining town finds a new life when locals begin seeing a bigfoot. Before long, there are tourists in town, cash registers ringing, and a nationally syndicated television show scouring the woods for a sasquatch. It's a Christmas miracle - or is it?
My rating for Pottersville seems at odds with conventional wisdom. It's obvious that I enjoy this one much, much more than most people. For many reason, the film worked for me. The cast is brilliant - from Michael Shannon playing against character to the always enjoyable Judy Greer to the gruff but funny Ian McShane, I had a blast with the cast. The plot is a another plus for me. It's just quirky enough to keep me entertained throughout. The bits about the furries, the bigfoot sightings, and the "unique" townspeople are all interesting touches. I've read several complaints about the lack of real comedy and, while I can agree to a point, there are enough moments that made me at least smile that I didn't need to laugh out loud to find the comedy enjoyable. Overall, I had a good time with Pottersville and have no problems rating it higher than most others.
My biggest complaint with Pottersville and the thing that keeps me from rating it higher is Tom Lennon. A little Lennon goes a long way. He's given way, way too much screentime. I admit that some of his interactions with Ian McShane and the Nelson Mandela song dedicaiton were quite funny, but overall, he's annoying. Less Lennon and I might have rated Pottersville even higher.
My rating for Pottersville seems at odds with conventional wisdom. It's obvious that I enjoy this one much, much more than most people. For many reason, the film worked for me. The cast is brilliant - from Michael Shannon playing against character to the always enjoyable Judy Greer to the gruff but funny Ian McShane, I had a blast with the cast. The plot is a another plus for me. It's just quirky enough to keep me entertained throughout. The bits about the furries, the bigfoot sightings, and the "unique" townspeople are all interesting touches. I've read several complaints about the lack of real comedy and, while I can agree to a point, there are enough moments that made me at least smile that I didn't need to laugh out loud to find the comedy enjoyable. Overall, I had a good time with Pottersville and have no problems rating it higher than most others.
My biggest complaint with Pottersville and the thing that keeps me from rating it higher is Tom Lennon. A little Lennon goes a long way. He's given way, way too much screentime. I admit that some of his interactions with Ian McShane and the Nelson Mandela song dedicaiton were quite funny, but overall, he's annoying. Less Lennon and I might have rated Pottersville even higher.
Pottersville-Michael Shannon, Christmas and Bigfoot
punisherversion126 December 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Pottersville: Directed by Seth Henrikson and written by Daniel Meyer.
This movie is a very strange anomaly of a movie. It is this super sweet Christmas movie about a town that become obsessed with Bigfoot bringing notoriety to a dying town. This is brought about by the main character Maynard played by Michael Shannon(Yes I know I was surprised by this as well) finding his wife cheating on him. Well not exactly cheating. She's actually a furry with his best friend. This leads to him on a drunken bender pretending to be bigfoot. This is clearly a parody of these types of movie right down to the name taken from It's a Wonderful Life. I wasn't entirely sure at first. It's really goofy and somewhat funny in parts. The weirdest thing to me was Michael Shannon in this. He played this quiet unassuming man not a role that he is known for. He usually plays intense, angry and vicious people. He does a good job here as does everyone. I didn't find it very funny and I had an oh come on moment at the end. It's a reaction I really should not have had. It's a fine time waster. You can put it on in the background and still enjoy it. It's a weird little movie but not bad. I give this movie a C.
This movie is a very strange anomaly of a movie. It is this super sweet Christmas movie about a town that become obsessed with Bigfoot bringing notoriety to a dying town. This is brought about by the main character Maynard played by Michael Shannon(Yes I know I was surprised by this as well) finding his wife cheating on him. Well not exactly cheating. She's actually a furry with his best friend. This leads to him on a drunken bender pretending to be bigfoot. This is clearly a parody of these types of movie right down to the name taken from It's a Wonderful Life. I wasn't entirely sure at first. It's really goofy and somewhat funny in parts. The weirdest thing to me was Michael Shannon in this. He played this quiet unassuming man not a role that he is known for. He usually plays intense, angry and vicious people. He does a good job here as does everyone. I didn't find it very funny and I had an oh come on moment at the end. It's a reaction I really should not have had. It's a fine time waster. You can put it on in the background and still enjoy it. It's a weird little movie but not bad. I give this movie a C.
A feel good to warm your heart on a Winter's eve.
draciron23 December 2017
This movie will not shock you, terrify you. There are no cars flying from building to building and exploding only to have the hero survive because they did a Ninja roll. Just a story of hope and finding meaning in the most mundane of the mundane. Accidentally setting off a spree of Bigfoot sightings, one man transforms a town and leaves it forever changed. This is a rare bird for Hollywood any more. Will it change your world, maybe not, but there are a lot worse ways to spend a couple hours and the laughs that will accompany it.
WTF??? Really???
jmix6624 December 2017
Oddly a sizable number of decent actors somehow got roped into (read: paid) to star in middling quality (read: terrible) film. It's sort fo a comedy, but one where they forget to tell jokes and where the humor is slightly less sophisticated than a Scooby-Doo cartoon ( the ones with Scrappy Doo, that is)
The films starts off with protagonist motivated by the hoariest of "life changing event" tropes and gets sillier from there. Basically, you watch the film for slightly longer than 90 minutes and the film's ending is telegraphed about 10-15 minutes. If you can't figure out what's going to happen, then you haven't seen a Hollywood film. EVER.
Not sure where the good reviews on here come from because this film is six different types of terrible. It could be more...but it is saved (just barely) by the presence of several very good actors. And npo...Judy Geer isn't one of them.
The films starts off with protagonist motivated by the hoariest of "life changing event" tropes and gets sillier from there. Basically, you watch the film for slightly longer than 90 minutes and the film's ending is telegraphed about 10-15 minutes. If you can't figure out what's going to happen, then you haven't seen a Hollywood film. EVER.
Not sure where the good reviews on here come from because this film is six different types of terrible. It could be more...but it is saved (just barely) by the presence of several very good actors. And npo...Judy Geer isn't one of them.
I don't understand the low score
Christmas-Reviewer31 December 2018
Review Date 12/30/2018
I Have Reviewed OVER 500 "Christmas Films and Specials". Please BEWARE Of films and specials with just one review! For instance When "It's a POSITIVE" chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. "If its Negative" then they may have a grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare about these films.
This film is a little uneven and its not really a Christmas movie. However there is plenty of laughs and a good cast that makes this a fum watch.
Maynard Grieger is a general store owner in Pottersville, a fictional small town that is struggling since the Pottersville Mill closed. Returning home early from work to surprise his wife, Connie, he finds that she is a furry, along with Jack, the sheriff. Connie states that she needs more excitement in her life, and would like some time apart from Maynard. Maynard drunkenly returns to his store, and after telling his story to his cashier, Parker, dresses up in a gorilla costume and walks around town, startling many individuals. The next morning, Maynard awakes to find that he was misidentified as Bigfoot. Intending to confess, Maynard realizes the potential economic benefits from tourism that Bigfoot may bring, and perpetuates the story by continuing to dress up.
Watch and have fun
I Have Reviewed OVER 500 "Christmas Films and Specials". Please BEWARE Of films and specials with just one review! For instance When "It's a POSITIVE" chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. "If its Negative" then they may have a grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare about these films.
This film is a little uneven and its not really a Christmas movie. However there is plenty of laughs and a good cast that makes this a fum watch.
Maynard Grieger is a general store owner in Pottersville, a fictional small town that is struggling since the Pottersville Mill closed. Returning home early from work to surprise his wife, Connie, he finds that she is a furry, along with Jack, the sheriff. Connie states that she needs more excitement in her life, and would like some time apart from Maynard. Maynard drunkenly returns to his store, and after telling his story to his cashier, Parker, dresses up in a gorilla costume and walks around town, startling many individuals. The next morning, Maynard awakes to find that he was misidentified as Bigfoot. Intending to confess, Maynard realizes the potential economic benefits from tourism that Bigfoot may bring, and perpetuates the story by continuing to dress up.
Watch and have fun
The Hallmark Channel Rejected this Film
susan-3172 January 2018
This seems like a movie that wanted to be a Hallmark Channel film but got rejected because it was so bad. If you're looking for something to sleep through, this is the one. Starts out good and runs okay for the first 30 minutes or so. Then devolves into absolute mediocrity and finally dives into a raging awfulness.
I missed some of the worst by falling asleep out of sheer boredom.
When I awoke, I caught another ten minutes but could not bear watch more, and so, I admit, I don't know what happens at the end.
You've been warned.
I missed some of the worst by falling asleep out of sheer boredom.
When I awoke, I caught another ten minutes but could not bear watch more, and so, I admit, I don't know what happens at the end.
You've been warned.
A funny movie for non-jaded critics
alan_t_franzen18 December 2017
Hi,
I ran across this little gem on a Saturday night when cruising Netflix. I was intrigued by Ian McShane and Ron Perlman. I wasn't expecting that much and I had an enjoyable time watching the actors bring the characters to life. Ian is very funny playing a hunter and Ron Perlman does an excellent job of playing a country sherriff. I read the previous reviews and I'm not we were watching the same film. I have relatives in a small town in east Texas and the themes of a small town dependent on a mill closing hit close to home as when industry leaves a small town, there often aren't a lot of opportunities. Perhaps I just have a calif attitude but I was laughing at the same jokes when I watched the next afternoon with friends. Perhaps not everyone noticed that the Bigfoot costume was what special forces actually wears for camo wear. There are a lot of other subtle jokes in the movie if you are paying attention. Cheers!
I ran across this little gem on a Saturday night when cruising Netflix. I was intrigued by Ian McShane and Ron Perlman. I wasn't expecting that much and I had an enjoyable time watching the actors bring the characters to life. Ian is very funny playing a hunter and Ron Perlman does an excellent job of playing a country sherriff. I read the previous reviews and I'm not we were watching the same film. I have relatives in a small town in east Texas and the themes of a small town dependent on a mill closing hit close to home as when industry leaves a small town, there often aren't a lot of opportunities. Perhaps I just have a calif attitude but I was laughing at the same jokes when I watched the next afternoon with friends. Perhaps not everyone noticed that the Bigfoot costume was what special forces actually wears for camo wear. There are a lot of other subtle jokes in the movie if you are paying attention. Cheers!
Entertaning; I don't understand the poor reviews
buckythewonderhorse9 October 2022
I am puzzled that this movie has mainly bad critic reviews. It's not the best movie you will ever see, but it is entertaining.
One night, small-town shopkeeper Maynard (Michael Shannon) gets depressed and drunk, runs around in a gorilla costume, and starts a Bigfoot craze, which revives the town's failing economy. He then goes out night after night, managing to be seen by nearly everyone in town, but never caught. OK, you have to suspend disbelief a bit here - doesn't anyone suspect it's just a guy in a costume, or see him sneaking in or out of his store? Anyway, eventually a Bigfoot hunter arrives in town (Thomas Lennon) with an accent which is a horrible mash-up of Australian, New Zealander and South African(fortunately, that is played for laughs); and a Bigfoot hunts ensues.
The movie is both silly, and with a bit of heart. The ending is a bit rushed, but otherwise it was very enjoyable.
One night, small-town shopkeeper Maynard (Michael Shannon) gets depressed and drunk, runs around in a gorilla costume, and starts a Bigfoot craze, which revives the town's failing economy. He then goes out night after night, managing to be seen by nearly everyone in town, but never caught. OK, you have to suspend disbelief a bit here - doesn't anyone suspect it's just a guy in a costume, or see him sneaking in or out of his store? Anyway, eventually a Bigfoot hunter arrives in town (Thomas Lennon) with an accent which is a horrible mash-up of Australian, New Zealander and South African(fortunately, that is played for laughs); and a Bigfoot hunts ensues.
The movie is both silly, and with a bit of heart. The ending is a bit rushed, but otherwise it was very enjoyable.
Morally and intellectually idiotic
estacey-829511 January 2018
Not only is this movie not entertauning, but it is totally cliche. It doesn't even have a good noral lesson. Instead, it tries to pass a well intentioned lie off as virtuous. Lies are not moral, no matter your intentions. I really get tired of these movies that put emotions over substance, which is most of them these days.
A movie you would never expect Shannon to make
bettycjung30 December 2017
12/25/17. This was actually a cute holiday-time movie that was surprisingly enjoyable to watch. I say that because I would never picture Shannon doing such a movie, and he was good! It's almost like a modern day take off on It's a Wonderful Life. Catch it!
So many good actors in such a bad movie.
Rolex2426 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
First off, know that essentially this movie has nothing to do with It's a Wonderful Life. It's a total borrowed interest play to get people to watch it. It could easily be any town name or Squatch for that matter.
Pottersville falls into this odd new type of movie we're seeing these days from streaming services. It's essentially a bad TV movie with passible production quality and really really high caliber acting. It's kind of unbelievable the cast that is in this movie.
The story telling is incredibly predictable and painfully linear. Like bad Lifetime movies, it has a crappy stock score underneath most every scene to tell us how we should feel.
It's terrible and whoever decided to make this should feel bad.
Pottersville falls into this odd new type of movie we're seeing these days from streaming services. It's essentially a bad TV movie with passible production quality and really really high caliber acting. It's kind of unbelievable the cast that is in this movie.
The story telling is incredibly predictable and painfully linear. Like bad Lifetime movies, it has a crappy stock score underneath most every scene to tell us how we should feel.
It's terrible and whoever decided to make this should feel bad.
A Christmas movie with a lot of furries
Chance_Boudreaux1921 December 2019
I went into this expecting a typical Christmas family movie about love overcoming everything and not one which includes a scene of people dressed up as animals having a sort-of orgy in the forest. That's not to say I don't like this movie because it was insane, ridiculous and pretty damn entertaining. How can anyone not be entertained by Christina Hendricks and Ron Perlman having a furry affair and Michael Shannon running around in a Bigfoot costume drunk on moonshine. It's the perfect Christmas movie for the whole family and I hope someone out there watches it with their kids and has to explain to them what furries are.
Dull and plodding - then it ends.
mrvanin6 March 2018
This is a particularly meaningless movie that might keep very young kids entertained, for brief moments, by the appearance of adult-sized furry costumes.
It has no other redeeming content. From the cliched setup to the utterly predictable ending, there is nothing vaguely interesting that occurs throughout this boring sequence of dull scenes. I would like to have seen more of the voluptuous Christina Hendricks in this - but even that treat was rationed.
At least some actors earned a paycheck and got some crumbs of visibility - they need to eat too, regardless of the poor script handed to them. While many of the cast at least tried to do their job, the expressionless lead actor (Michael Shannon, surprisingly not type-cast as a brutal maniac, for once) was quite obviously absolutely lost without a clue about playing a "normal" person.
I had this bland nonsense running on one screen (on Netflix) while browsing the internet on my second screen. So it wasn't a complete waste of my time, fortunately.
It has no other redeeming content. From the cliched setup to the utterly predictable ending, there is nothing vaguely interesting that occurs throughout this boring sequence of dull scenes. I would like to have seen more of the voluptuous Christina Hendricks in this - but even that treat was rationed.
At least some actors earned a paycheck and got some crumbs of visibility - they need to eat too, regardless of the poor script handed to them. While many of the cast at least tried to do their job, the expressionless lead actor (Michael Shannon, surprisingly not type-cast as a brutal maniac, for once) was quite obviously absolutely lost without a clue about playing a "normal" person.
I had this bland nonsense running on one screen (on Netflix) while browsing the internet on my second screen. So it wasn't a complete waste of my time, fortunately.
Zod, Hellboy and Blackbeard walk into a bar...
danku14 January 2019
...and end up making a not-great-but-decent light comedy.
Granted, it's got what Roger Ebert would call an "idiot plot," a tangle of mistaken perceptions that would be quickly straightened out if only one of the major characters would speak up. But the actor whose character perpetrates the misunderstanding sells it with a strong performance, leading me to suspend disbelief and accept that he'd think keeping the secret is the better course of action -until it blows up in his face.
This absolutely is not Shakespeare (though, to be fair, Shakespeare was no stranger to the "idiot plot"). The major plot points are predictable. The whimsical tone sometimes comes across as forced. But I still found it engaging and entertaining enough to keep with it, simply because I enjoyed watching the actors have fun with it.
Granted, it's got what Roger Ebert would call an "idiot plot," a tangle of mistaken perceptions that would be quickly straightened out if only one of the major characters would speak up. But the actor whose character perpetrates the misunderstanding sells it with a strong performance, leading me to suspend disbelief and accept that he'd think keeping the secret is the better course of action -until it blows up in his face.
This absolutely is not Shakespeare (though, to be fair, Shakespeare was no stranger to the "idiot plot"). The major plot points are predictable. The whimsical tone sometimes comes across as forced. But I still found it engaging and entertaining enough to keep with it, simply because I enjoyed watching the actors have fun with it.
Awful movie
nicorip2230 November 2020
Delightful, light viewing for Christmas
guyzradio19 April 2022
We discovered "Pottersville" the day after Easter, which is about as far off Christmas festivities as you can get. Immediately, familiar faces (Ian McShane, Ron Pearlman) began to show up, and we were confident this would be a movie with some merit. We were not disappointed.
There is a plot. The humor is fairly continuous, but not slapstick or overplayed. The spirit of a down-an-out community is captured in a way the view can feel, as are Michael Shannon's depiction of Maynard Greiger's despair yet hopeful outlook. Perhaps most entertaining are homages to the movies "Jaws" and "It's a Wonderful Life," which are woven unobtrusively into the story with excellent timing and in just the right amount. The title "Pottersville" was an early indication something was coming.
This is a better movie than the IMDb score would have you believe, and all done without nudity, vulgarity, or padding the film beyond a very adequate 1:24. It deserves to be seen every year.
There is a plot. The humor is fairly continuous, but not slapstick or overplayed. The spirit of a down-an-out community is captured in a way the view can feel, as are Michael Shannon's depiction of Maynard Greiger's despair yet hopeful outlook. Perhaps most entertaining are homages to the movies "Jaws" and "It's a Wonderful Life," which are woven unobtrusively into the story with excellent timing and in just the right amount. The title "Pottersville" was an early indication something was coming.
This is a better movie than the IMDb score would have you believe, and all done without nudity, vulgarity, or padding the film beyond a very adequate 1:24. It deserves to be seen every year.
Awkward poorly paced.
javan2321 December 2021
Michael Shannon was not well utilized, I think a lot of humour could be derived from his stoic presence a la Ron Swanson, but instead they tried to make him goofy and therefore unrelatable. The furrie to bigfoot storyline felt very contrived. Also the humour is bizarre but the acting and editing is naturalistic which makes the movie feel surreal instead of fun or humourous. Also the stock music was very distracting.
Hidden little gem
markjunk-6685020 December 2017
This movie sneaks up on you. You aren't getting the recent rash of over the top brash and crass movies of the current era. You are getting a cute and in the end a heart-warming comedy.
To begin, this movie comes at us from a small, down on its luck town who's main employer "The Mill" has recently closed. Maynard is one of the few remaining business owners, and his corner store is the focal point of the town. This is much like many small towns across America, so many viewers can relate.
The movie portrays a few pretty typical characters you might also find in those small towns and exaggerates their personalities just enough to make them quite amusing, but not overdone like an SNL skit.
One character that IS over the top is the "Monster Hunter" that comes into the town searching for bigfoot. (In a not so veiled spoof of Bear Grilles or similar reality star.) He is ridiculously funny, but it somehow fits.
To Me, this is a great movie to watch with the whole family. Three are a few scenes with minor sexual overtones, but PG is how I would rate it. And I can only recall a few occasions of foul language.
I mention these things because I feel the shocking nature of many films today is borne of laziness. Writers and directors who are out of ideas and fall back on foul language and shock value as an answer to comedy. This movie breaks that mold and still generates the laughs.
So the bottom line is, if you are looking for a caustic f-bomb fest, this isn't the movie for you. Go watch The Hangover or something else. Those are funny movies for sure, but his movie takes a different route.
This movie has great acting, a great story and surprisingly funny scenes. A great way to spend an hour and a half with the family!
To begin, this movie comes at us from a small, down on its luck town who's main employer "The Mill" has recently closed. Maynard is one of the few remaining business owners, and his corner store is the focal point of the town. This is much like many small towns across America, so many viewers can relate.
The movie portrays a few pretty typical characters you might also find in those small towns and exaggerates their personalities just enough to make them quite amusing, but not overdone like an SNL skit.
One character that IS over the top is the "Monster Hunter" that comes into the town searching for bigfoot. (In a not so veiled spoof of Bear Grilles or similar reality star.) He is ridiculously funny, but it somehow fits.
To Me, this is a great movie to watch with the whole family. Three are a few scenes with minor sexual overtones, but PG is how I would rate it. And I can only recall a few occasions of foul language.
I mention these things because I feel the shocking nature of many films today is borne of laziness. Writers and directors who are out of ideas and fall back on foul language and shock value as an answer to comedy. This movie breaks that mold and still generates the laughs.
So the bottom line is, if you are looking for a caustic f-bomb fest, this isn't the movie for you. Go watch The Hangover or something else. Those are funny movies for sure, but his movie takes a different route.
This movie has great acting, a great story and surprisingly funny scenes. A great way to spend an hour and a half with the family!
"Hope isn't always the most realistic thing but it tends to make the world a better place."
classicsoncall19 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The title of the film, which is also the name of the town in which the story takes place, immediately brought to mind the 1946 Christmas classic, "It's a Wonderful Life". That's because the town of Bedford Falls where that story took place, was reimagined as Pottersville during the alternate reality in which Jimmy Stewart's character had never been born. I don't know that I'd classify this as a Christmas movie per se, although there are enough scenes in which Christmas trees, holiday decorations and good old Christmas spirit abide to provide a nice, family friendly viewing experience for those who would like to catch something a little offbeat. I do think Michael Shannon would have been better served as the principal character if he managed a smile every now and then. He looked so much like a younger David Letterman that it kept me distracted somewhat. His employee Parker (Judy Greer) did seem like a better match for him than wife Connie (Christina Hendricks), so their getting together at the end of the picture was somewhat expected, especially after all the hijinks involved with the Bigfoot sighting and the attendant uproar created when 'Monster Finder' TV rolled into town. Their media celebrity Brock Masterson (Thomas Lennon) was a bit hard to take for this viewer, and it was satisfying to see him sent packing when all the dust settled. Anyway, now that I've thought about it while writing this review, I'm going to include "Pottersvile" in my list of Christmas movies I've watched and reviewed here on IMDb. It's at least as Christmasy as "Santa Claus Conquered the Martians" and with it's current IMDb rating, it's at least twice as good.
Fitfully amusing...
laplante-co-672-29785619 December 2021
Its heart is in the right place, but unfortunately it's let down by banal writing and directing.
Many of the actors -- MIchael Shannon, Ian McShane, Ron Perlman -- aren't particularly known for their comedic skills. In fact, they are mostly known for their intense dramatic roles so maybe they weren't the best choice for actors here.
Some scenes showed inspiration -- the Jaws ripoff, the spoof of Christian Bale's -- but there were too few of these. Other plot elements such as the whole Furry thing were meant to be funny, but just come off as cringy.
Many of the actors -- MIchael Shannon, Ian McShane, Ron Perlman -- aren't particularly known for their comedic skills. In fact, they are mostly known for their intense dramatic roles so maybe they weren't the best choice for actors here.
Some scenes showed inspiration -- the Jaws ripoff, the spoof of Christian Bale's -- but there were too few of these. Other plot elements such as the whole Furry thing were meant to be funny, but just come off as cringy.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
