Opening at theaters on October 30

Life is an attitude…the glass is half full or it is half empty. I love to laugh and will at ‘British’, off-the-wall, sarcastic, and ridiculous humor. It makes me feel good. It is with this attitude that I joyously watched Gentlemen Broncos. My mouth was wide open at times with disbelief as the events take place. Gentlemen Broncos goes from crazy to extreme nonsense. It is an entertaining journey. Where most of society has obsessions with mammary glands and gonads, Gentlemen Broncos will present them in an all new light. Where most movies feature handsome men and beautiful women, this one will represent society. Watch with an open mind and don't expect the obvious. Look for the small nuances that most people will miss. It is OK to laugh at the ridiculous and not feel guilty. I am sure that watching it again will enlighten me to many more entertaining insinuations. Many who watch  Gentlemen Broncos will not ‘get it’ for whatever reason- melancholy mood, serious or different taste, intimidated by boldness, addicted to romance or drama, only walk the straight and narrow, etc. -but I am proud to admit that I laughed a lot and ‘got it.’

Controversy between characters Michael Angarano and Jemaine Clement

I was invited to a press junket featuring Jared and Jerusha Hess and then separately, Mike White. Jared and Jarusha are a loving married couple with two kids who live in Salt Lake, Utah, where Gentlemen Broncos was filmed. They were introduced to each other while they were film students at Brigham Young University. They have a humorously dynamic relationship. Asked if they were targeting a special market or ‘cult-type’ following when writing Gentlemen Broncos, they replied, “No one does that on purpose. If it happens, it happens.” Jared stated that when he was young, reading the UFO articles in Reader’s Digest sparked his interest in science fiction. He also was very intrigued with magic as it pertained to special effects. His youth was the time when he conjured up the “purple throw-up” idea that is depicted in Gentlemen Broncos.

Jemaine Clement, Jared Hess, and Michael Angarano discussing a scene.

Mike White, also at the junket, is both a producer and played Dusty in Gentlemen Broncos. He is a talented humorist. When asked if he contributed to the look of his character, he remarked, “Very little! You think I would choose to look like that? My mom saw the preview and she almost started crying. ‘ Mike, that’s not your best look.’….I like to think of it more like the Albino Slick Rick. But it was fun to walk around Salt Lake on breaks from the set and go to the Chipotle and scare everybody. At first I thought I was going to get beat up but then I realized everybody was more afraid that I was like a crack head and going to beat them up.”

Unexpected action with Mike White and Michael Angarano

When asked what it was like to work with Jared and Jerusha Hess, he commented, “They’re fun people. The reason I produced the movie and was involved with it is because we worked on Nacho Libre together. I actually flew to Salt Lake and spent a lot of time with them so I consider them good friends and they are super fun people. Jared is a weird mix of so emotionally mature but so like totally immature at the same time as far as what makes him laugh; he has kind of an antic spirit. He is just a special guy and they have a cool relationship. It’s fun to be a part of their stuff. Jarusha is the more practical one and kind of cracks the whip but she also has a really quick, mischievous humor.”

Michael Angarano and Jennifer Coolidge performing yet another antic.

The main character Benjamin, portrayed by Michael Angarano, goes through some growth during this movie. He starts off as a sweet, sensitive 17-year-old science fiction-obsessed student author and then evolves. Michael is believable and entertaining as his character. He loves his mom, who is wonderfully portrayed by Jennifer Coolidge. She has some challenges but has protected her son well through his young years. Jennifer is a “natural comic” who is engagingly funny both in the movie and in person. She has a gift to give the world in her comic relief.

Jemaine Clement in the role of Dr. Ronald Chevalier

Jemaine Clement, awesome as the dramatic Dr. Ronald Chevalier, does an excellent job. Halley Feiffer, who played Tabatha, says, “I just couldn’t believe how hysterically funny the script was. I would be reading it in public places and I’d be cracking up. Every time I read it, I found new, hilarious things. But it’s also very sweet and moving and has a really beautiful soul.” Hector Jimenez, portraying an incredible character, Lonnie, returns to work with the Hess couple from Nacho Libre.

The music will be universally regarded as outstanding. All the songs are catchy and well-placed throughout the movie, but “ 2525” is the theme and was a number one hit in 1969. It was a favorite of Jerusha Hess who teased her husband into using it. I am reminded in the song’s words of those who lost their sense of humor in this chaotic world of ours: “Now it's been 10,000 years, Man has cried a billion tears, For what, he never knew. Now man's reign is through. But through eternal night, The twinkling of starlight. So very far away, Maybe it's only yesterday.” May 'starlight' be our humor...let it shine...great choice for the theme song!

Epic story - complete with a "Battle Stag"

With all the money spent in the movie world, this one is different. The costumes, sets, and props are unique, but affordable! “Since we didn’t have a bottomless purse, we had to get very creative,” explains Richard Wright, production designer. “We spent a lot of time at the thrift stores, garage sales, and junkyards collecting anything that looked interesting.” Let’s give them credit for staying “green” in a wasteful world. Kudos to you all and I hope Gentlemen Broncos is successful as an example to the big spenders.

For more on Gentlemen Broncos go to: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/gentlemenbroncos/

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