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Doug Kenney flamed out early.
Kenney was a brilliant writer but also a tremendously depressed individual with substance-abuse issues.
The movie is bookended by food fights.
He and Beard are dynamic and their collaboration illuminating.
In real life, of course, its a tragedy.
And just one funny woman?
It was a different time.
In our defense, we also had very few Jews.
Its somewhat relieving that the movie doesnt ignore these issues withLampoon(even before P.J.
Being a David Wain project, a handful of cast members ofThe Statemake appearances.
The one in a central performance, Thomas Lennon, is terrific asMichael ODonoghue.
Lennon works a lot and often in roles that dont ask for much from him.
Here he captures ODonoghues impossible temperament and steely antipathy.
Likewise,Jon DalyandJoel McHaleare perfectly cast asBill MurrayandChevy Chase, respectively.
A Futile and Stupid Gesturesubstantially improves upon the book that serves as its source material.
Photo by John P. Fleenor/Netflix.
Harry Waksberg is a writer and lazeabout based in Riverside, CA.
He is the creator and writer of the web seriesDoing Good.
