The Independent

R

Released Nov 30, 2001

1 hr. 35 min.

Comedy

List

60%

47 Reviews

Tomatometer

49%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

This mockumentary explores the career of independent filmmaker Morty Fineman (Jerry Stiller), responsible for over 400 movies. Fineman faces mounting debt, but puts his heart and remaining money into a feature film about a serial killer. He contacts his daughter, Paloma (Janeane Garofalo), to work for him, after which he tries to obtain the rights to the killer's tale. The only caveat is that the film must be a musical. Fineman, Paloma and assistant Irving embark on this strange quest.

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hardy c

Among all the accolades justly given to Jerry Stiller upon his passing, this film is conspicuously missing. It is noteworthy because it is, as far as I can tell, the only feature film where Jerry starred in the lead role as an Ed Woodesque director whose schlock films bypassed DVDs and went straight into oblivion. There are plenty of star cameos but it's Stiller playing this role straight that makes it a hoot. RIP Mr. Stiller-Festivus; you have truly found "Serenity Now!"

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The Independent takes the comedic shenanigans of the lovable Jerry Stiller and makes an incredibly dull film about an independent director trying to get a budget together for one last film. Typically Jerry Stillers yelling and carrying on make for a good number of laughs but director Stephen Kessler is unable to use Stillers energy effectively and causes The Independent to be a boring look at the director not unlike himself.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I had never heard of this film until it appeared as a suggestion on Netflix, now I am pleased to have given it a chance. We've all dreamed about working in the film industry, but anyone who has actually spent months of their lives, and all of their money, making an independent film will relate to this. The film is told in a documentary style, interspersing interviews and clips from outstandingly crazy B Movies into the main narrative. I actually found myself sniggering a few times throughout, but one particular scene from an old 'Fineman Film' had me in an uncontrollable fit of laughter. All I'll say is it involves a Ben Stiller cameo in a spoof of Free Willy. That isn't the only cameo of note either as numerous Hollywood celebrities pop up to give their insight into the life of Morty Fineman. But of course the true star is Morty himself, played by a perfectly deadpan Jerry Stiller. I was not expecting much from this film, in fact I'd originally put it on as background noise, but I can safely say The Independent did what few films before have done and made me pay attention. Definitely worth a watch

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I think that Jerry Stiller has one of the best comedic performances ever here.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It's just plain stupid in every sense of the word, but Stiller is hilarious and the film exceeds any expectations. The scene where the reporter is interviewing Stiller and asking him about his career is one of the funniest scenes I've ever seen.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I'm sick as hell and this movie still made me laugh my ass off

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

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Stephen Kessler

Director

Jerry Stiller

Morty Fineman

Janeane Garofalo

Paloma Fineman

Max Perlich

Ivan

Ginger Lynn Allen

Mayor Kitty Storm

Billy Burke

Dwayne

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Marrit Ingman

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 3.5/5

Mar 10, 2003

Full Review

Michael Wilmington

Chicago Tribune

When it's trying to be a more conventional comedy, it's mostly pretty bad.

Rated: 2/4

Jul 20, 2002

Full Review

Erin Meister

Boston Globe

A charming and funny look at the independent filmmaking business and the thin line between a masterpiece and a $9 nap.

Rated: 3/4

Jun 28, 2002

Full Review

Beth Accomando

KPBS.org

Stiller should get an Oscar for his performance as Fineman and that's no joke. This is a role of a lifetime and Stiller relishes the opportunity.

Aug 16, 2008

Full Review

Film Threat

Rated: 4/5

Dec 6, 2005

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Aug 10, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

This mockumentary explores the career of independent filmmaker Morty Fineman (Jerry Stiller), responsible for over 400 movies. Fineman faces mounting debt, but puts his heart and remaining money into a feature film about a serial killer. He contacts his daughter, Paloma (Janeane Garofalo), to work for him, after which he tries to obtain the rights to the killer's tale. The only caveat is that the film must be a musical. Fineman, Paloma and assistant Irving embark on this strange quest.

Director: Stephen Kessler
Executive Producer: Jerry Weintraub
Screenwriter: Stephen Kessler, Mike Wilkins
Distributor: Arrow Entertainment, New City Releasing [us], Arrow Releasing Inc.
Production Co: United Lotus Group
Rating: R (Language|Some Violence|Sexuality)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 30, 2001, Wide
Release Date (DVD): Feb 12, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $238.4K
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo