Nathan Rabin's Happy Place's Definitive Guide to American Movies about the Film Industry
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This post is for backers only. Please visit Kickstarter.com and log in to read.
In a World… (2013) FM
Hollywood has been making movies about making movies for well over a century. The movie world never stops admiring itself in the mirror while scouring for imperfections. The movie world satire has been done to death so it’s rare to see a comedy attack this well-worn subject matter from a fresh angle.
Actor turned filmmaker Lake Bell finds two fresh angles on the glorious insanity of the movie business with her critically acclaimed 2013 writing and directorial debut, …In a World. Instead of focussing on actors and actresses, producers or directors In a World… explores the fascinating subculture of voiceover artists, sonorous narcissists literally in love with the sound of their own voices.
The film’s other novel take involves centering on the hyperbolic realm of movie trailers more than movies themselves. It’s a weird, insular world ruled for decades by Don LaFontaine, whose name is synonymous with the three magical words that give the film its title.
LaFontaine is not immortal, however, and when he dies a battle ensues among the leading lights of the voiceover industry over who will take his place and get to utter “In a world” in the trailer for a Hunger Games-style series of action blockbusters.
The top contender is Sam Sotto (Fred Melamed), a virtuoso with an ego as big as his bank account. The chauvinist doesn’t think women belong in the voiceover world, particularly his ambitious daughter Carol (Lake Bell).
In a World… follows its lovable heroine as she competes for the gig of a lifetime against her own father and his protege Gustav Mahler (Ken Marino), a millionaire heir she makes the mistake of sleeping with.
Bell is breathtakingly gorgeous yet unexpectedly relatable as well as an accomplished physical and verbal comedienne. She’s supported by a dazzling cast full of ringers, including Demetri Martin as Bell’s love interest, Michaela Watkins, Rob Corddry, Nick Offerman, Tig Notaro and Geena Davis in a small but crucial role.
In a movie world where seemingly everything has been said and done Bell’s charming directorial debut represents something new and wonderful: the emergence of a true original.
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