The Independent

Critics Consensus

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60%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 48

49%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 1,287
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Movie Info

Imaginary Z-grade 1960s exploitation film producer Morty Fineman (Jerry Stiller), who was responsible for such faux-works as Buddy Cops V: Hayseed and Toughnut, sci-fi blaxploitation flick The Foxy Chocolate Robot, and, of course, Heil Titler , is the focus for this mockumentary co-written and directed by Stephen Kessler). While Fineman struggles to make his latest effort, Ms. Kevorkian, about a gun-toting babe who's passionate about assisted-suicide, the bank wants to foreclose on his hallowed studio and sell his film archive for $8 a pound. In absolute desperation, he reaches out to his estranged daughter Paloma (Janeane Garofalo), who grudgingly agrees to be the president of his production company in spite of numerous moral qualms. Along the way, the film features interviews with such real-life luminaries as Peter Bogdanovich, Roger Corman, and blaxploitation stalwart Fred Williamson, that paints a picture of a relentlessly gung-ho producer whose work somehow manages to rise above nothing budgets and lackluster talent. They also highlight Fineman's penchant for hitting on his leading ladies; Karen Black recalled one incident by noting, "It helped to be drunk." This film was screened at the 2000 South By Southwest Film Festival.
  • Rating:
    R (for language, some violence and sexuality)
  • Genre:
    Comedy
  • Directed By:
    Stephen Kessler
  • Written By:
    Stephen Kessler, Mike Wilkins
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Arrow Releasing

Cast

Jerry Stiller
as Morty Fineman
Janeane Garofalo
as Paloma Fineman
Ramon Sison
as Mr. Ramos
Max Perlich
as Ivan
Roger Corman
as Himself
Ted Demme
as Himself
Karen Black
as Herself
Ron Howard
as Himself
Peter Bogdanovich
as Himself
John
as Baruce
Fred Williamson
as Himself
Nick Cassavetes
as Himself
Paul Logan
as Son
Stacy Fuson
as Daugher
Herb Marcus
as Old Man/Mr. Witz
Julie Strain
as Ms. Kevorkian
Stephen Kessler
as Steve
Mike Wilkins
as Mike
Ethan Embry
as Bert
Kimo Wills
as Rob
Phil Proctor
as Rob's Dad
Melinda Peterson
as Rob's Mom
Louisa Moritz
as Sally/Receptionist
Priscilla Lee Taylor
as Iris
Greg Behrendt
as Redneck
Victoria Silvstedt
as Blossom
Devon DeMaria
as Violet
Clanton Williams
as Businessman No. 1
Joseph Dubow
as Businessman No. 2
Danielle Ciardi
as Daisy
Lisa McCullough
as Leather Girl
Jimmy Briscoe
as Morty's Actor-friend
Gary Friedkin
as Surfer Guy
Debbie Lee Carrington
as Surfer Girl
Susie Rossitto
as Morty's Actress-friend
Jonathan Katz
as Todd
Eric Schaefer
as R.F. Fineman
Roy Kerry
as Beardo
David Strifel
as Hairface
Dennis McCullen
as President
S.A. Griffin
as Slate
Omer Mohamed
as Mr. Singh
Maria Cina
as Newscaster
Jennifer Elise Cox
as Telluride Booth Girl
Billy Burke
as Dwayne
Penelope Pumpkins
as Actress No. 1
Brooke Ashley
as Actress No. 2
Brittany Andrews
as Actress No. 3
Amy Stiller
as Dr. Rosaria McClesh
Gina Jackson
as Foxy Chocolate Robot
John Finnegan
as Guard
Larry Hankin
as William Henry Ellis
Andy Dick
as Maitre'd
Joanne Richter
as Tula
Jeff Schoeny
as Boy
Ben Stiller
as Cop
Ancel Cook
as Peter Worth
John Lydon
as Baruce
Ginger Lynn Allen
as Mayor Kitty Storm
Michael Robbins
as Orthodontist
Ken Michelman
as Prosecutor
Dana Gould
as Victim
Rob Ingersoll
as Christ
Judy Herrera
as Blue Sky
Anne Meara
as Rita
Fred Dryer
as Jean-Claude
Richard Paul
as Jeffries
Sam Anderson
as Ed
Bill Gerber
as Dennis
Laura Kightlinger
as Diana
Risa Mickenberg
as Desk Clerk
Jay Johnston
as Soldier
Joseph Griffo
as Beach Guy
Bob Odenkirk
as Figure
Melissa Daniels
as Lover
Owen Bush
as VFW Old Man
Aki Aleong
as Mr. Ko
Maria Ford
as Poster Model
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Critic Reviews for The Independent

All Critics (48) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (29) | Rotten (19)

View All Critic Reviews (48)

Audience Reviews for The Independent

  • Oct 30, 2011
    I think that Jerry Stiller has one of the best comedic performances ever here.
    Stephen E Super Reviewer
  • Aug 15, 2011
    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.
    Stephen E Super Reviewer
  • Jan 26, 2009
    Comedy with Jerry Stiller as a B-movie director known for his "interesting" films. When he decides he wants to make a new film about a serial killer's life he finds he's skint, so,along with the help of his daughter and long suffering assistant, he tries to get people's interest back into his work by trying to get a company to screen his films at a film festival. Obviously, this proves difficult due to a cult-ish, and limited audience.I have to admit, until i spotted this in a budget store the other day,i'd never heard of The Independent,but i was just about pleasantly suprised as this has some funny moments,the cast is good and its a pretty good story to. Not brilliant but pretty cool.
    Adam M Super Reviewer
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