Customer Reviews

Bart Got a Room

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(21)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Brian Hecker wrote and directed "Bart Got A Room," which is filmed in his lovely hometown of Hollywood, Florida. In fact, numerous scenes were shot around locales which were familiar to him as a child. This film is very autobiographical in that Hecker based it on memories of his senior prom as well as the proms of his friends and relatives. Watching this film made me think of my own prom and I wished it had turned out as wonderful as it did for Danny Stein (Steven Kaplan).

"Bart Got a Room" is a warmhearted, bittersweet drama of a young man, Danny who must make numerous decisions concerning his upcoming prom. The most important decision involves who will be his date. He's torn between taking someone with whom he can become romantically intimate and his best friend Camille (Alia Shawkat). In the meantime, his parents' divorce weighs heavily on his mind. Danny is a good kid. He yearns to see his parents (perky Cheryl Hines and downtrodden William H. Macy both looking silly in wigs) get back together so they can become a real family. My heart ached for him. Danny finds his parents' choice for dates nauseating. I found them hilarious (especially Jennifer Tilly who has a cameo as a freak). Hines is looking for a man with good financial assets while Macy, who repulses his dates, is looking for a woman with good "assets" of a different kind. Both of them seem lonely without each other.

"Bart Got a Room" is also an inspirational drama that teaches us to be ourselves. You can't plan for a special moment to happen. You have to let it happen on its own, and hope that it lasts forever. So what if the class dweeb got a room at the prom, Danny got a memory that lasted forever. He realized what was truly important in life. It had been staring at him in the face all along.

The highly talented Stephen Kaplan shines as the adorable Danny. It is hard to believe that "Bart Got A Room" is his first role in a motion picture. Alia Shawkat is wonderful as Camille. She starred in another prom movie - "Prom Wars" - and the Christmas comedy "Deck the Halls" with Danny DeVito and Matthew Broderick.

Anchor Bay Entertainment did a wonderful job with the audio, video and widescreen presentation of 1.85:1; English subtitles have also been provided. Instead of full-length audio commentary, there is a pop-up production notebook. During the film, handwritten notes of interest suddenly appear in large bubbles. Many of them are hilarious and interesting but you must be a fast reader because they quickly disappear. I learned much about director Brian Hecker from reading them.

"Bart Got A Room" is highly recommended viewing for those who enjoy inspirational comedies such as "Last Chance Harvey" and "Henry Poole Is Here," which have also been released by Anchor Bay. These movies make you laugh at other people's foibles and peculiarities while taking note of your own. At the end of the film, you will be a better person than you were at the beginning.

Wow, this is the prom movie that all the other "teen prom comedies" tried to make but failed. While every other prom movie focuses on nudity and raunchy sexual jokes, this movie takes the entire genre to a new level by actually portraying the TRUE angst and the TRUE sexual frustration and the TRUE comedy that takes place when you're a high school student desperately trying to get laid (or just trying to get a date) on prom night.

Anybody who lived through the traumas of high school will completely relate to the honest & real & smart characters in this film... with a moral to the story that will blow you away and leave you thinking about this film for weeks afterwards. I loved this movie so much that I saw it twice in theaters.

Plus, I should also mention that this movie isn't just about prom night -- but it also parallels the struggles between children looking for love, and divorced parents looking for love. So this movie will appeal to teens and adults alike.

William H. Macy is brilliant and hilarious as always... in fact, this may be one of his best roles to date.

And it was so refreshing to see a movie take place outside of Los Angeles for a change. The quirky use of South Florida as a backdrop throughout the film only heightens the realism and comedy throughout the entire movie.

I can't recommend this movie enough, for comedy lovers of all ages.

Much of "Bart Got a Room" is going to feel a bit old hat for some, but you know what? Sometimes it's a good old hat, the kind that you just want to keep around despite knowing exactly where it has been. There is much familiarity in the setup of Brian Hecker's debut feature: poor kid can't get a date to the prom, his parents are divorced, and he has a best friend that thinks it would be funny if they went together. Reading this, at first you would probably think the movie doesn't have much to offer, and would rather spend your money on seeing whatever Kate Hudson or Renee Zellweger are up to this weekend at the box office.

Slowly but surely, this indie gem has something great up its sleeve: the characters develop into three dimensions, the comic devices take us into new, interesting territory and there's an ending that cries so far from what we are led to expect. Not only that, the movie has its references to Blake Edwards and (naturally) Woody Allen, but this is a springboard for a series of funny and crazy events.

Plus it's one of those indie pictures that have some great talent in front of the camera. William H. Macy, Cheryl Hines, Jennifer Tilly and a promising newcomer named Steven J. Kaplan who will no doubt become a star.

The title character is not named Bart (more on that later) but rather Danny (Steven J. Kaplan) who is nice enough, smart enough and -- from a heterosexual writer's perspective, for what it's worth -- good looking enough, but poor Danny just can't get a date to the prom. His friend Camille (Alia Shawkat) wants to go as friendly company and to have a friend to spend time with, but Danny has his eyes on a few other potentials, including a strawberry blonde who he chauffeurs every now and then.

To make matters worse, Danny's dealing with the divorce of his parents Ernie (William H. Macy) and Beth (Cheryl Hines) who both try to stay in Danny's life. It probably also doesn't help matters that they are living in Hollywood, Florida. If any of you saw Larry Clark's film "Bully", also set in the same town, you might remember that in this Hollywood, dreams go to die. Or to get replaced by a plastic flamingo sitting next to your swimming pool full of stray golf balls.

At a scant 78 minutes, "Bart Got a Room" is funnier, has a great sense of place and time and is more honest than most of the comedy films with ten times the budget. It wears its charm on its sleeve and isn't afraid to make us laugh at moments that are refreshingly honest as well as way out there. In one bizarre sequence that just barely gets away with it, Ernie tests the noise level of his new apartment just in case Danny wants to bring his date "home". An old lady in the apartment building appears in the corner of the frame as Ernie tests the volume "From one to ten", but the old lady isn't the joke. The joke is that Ernie sure loves his son no matter what.

Consider even a later scene with Ernie, who is so bent on getting Danny a date for the prom that he ditches a date (with a character played by the gorgeous Jennifer Tilly...she's nearing 50, people!), runs halfway across Hollywood and winds up picking an older and slightly oversized prostitute for Danny to take to the big dance. You may not know what you're doing Ernie, but at least your heart is in the right place.

I mention Ernie so much because, ladies and germs, William H. Macy needs no introduction. You already know him, love him and admire his craft as an actor, and I loved his wacky jew-fro, childlike demeanor in his eyes and yet he has a real soft spot for his ex, despite their separation. Macy is matched well by Steven J. Kaplan, simply terrific as the conflicted son. He was carefully selected by Brian Hecker for his natural talent, of course, but when I met Brian at a screening at the Victoria Film Festival screening, there was a divine visual similarity.

Sure, "Bart Got a Room" is a great comedy, it's funny with big laughs, but as I wrote about before, things don't exactly happen in the way we think they're going to and it is wonderful, just wonderful on how it does things in an honest manner. The film is not about whether Danny and his best friend get together romantically - nor Danny's parents for that matter -- and I really admired how the film side stepped what could have been a romantic cliché and ends on a note of surprising hope for all four of the leads. The end credits roll, and their life continues for the better. And so does ours as we leave the theater.

Note: And that Bart, by the way? He's an illusion, a character we don't see through the whole film, and when we finally do, it's a whammy. And stay for those credits.

[...]

Danny Stein (Steven Kaplan) is a borderline nerd/average high school senior who's facing a problem that most of us moderate geeks and nerds have faced in high school: getting a date for the prom. Initially he plans to ask Alice, the cute and very flirty sophomore he regularly drives home after school. He goes so far as to turn down his longtime friend, Camille (Alia Shawkat), even though he hasn't asked Alice yet.

When Alice turns him down, Danny's life goes into a tailspin. Not only do most of his classmates already have dates for the prom, uber-nerd Bart Beeber (Chad Jamian Williams) has even secured a date....and a hotel room. With limited and ever-decreasing choices in potential prom dates, Danny becomes desperate. He enlists the help of his quirky but very caring father (William H. Macy) and his good friend, Craig (Brandon Hardesty), in order to get a date. Their collective attempts (or in Craig's case, giving advice from the swimming pool) bring about quite a bit of hilarity.

The humor in this film is very light. There are a couple of laugh-out-loud moments, but the story rarely strays from its even pace. With that said, the humor is well above-average when compared to similar teen movies.

The film also features a wonderful soundtrack. It's sure to please anybody who enjoys a good horn section.

What lifts this film to a higher level the most is the restrained comedic efforts of the cast. They never push the envelope too far, but they always keep it at an enjoyable level. William H. Macy shines as Danny's father, who has turned to the web in order to find his soulmate. His numerous dates in the film (especially the one with Jennifer Tilly) showcase his talent as a comedic actor. Cheryl Hines does an excellent job as Danny's mother. She is also looking for love and might just settle for Bob (Jon Polito), a "decent enough" guy who's secure and seems to really like being with Danny and his mom.

Other standouts in the cast include the aforementioned Hardesty, Shawkat, Kate Micucci in a small but funny role, Dinah Manoff and Michael Mantell as Camille's parents and Brittney Winton, one of Danny's potential dates.

I didn't expect much from this film when I started watching it, but I quickly found myself drawn to the characters and the wonderful humor that make up "Bart Got A Room." Young and old fans of teen comedies will enjoy it (although I believe older audiences will enjoy it more). If you enjoy the work of Macy, Hines, Manoff or anyone else in this film, I think you'll like this film as well.

I highly recommend "Bart Got A Room," and consider it a solid purchase.

What I liked about "Bart Got a Room" is its easygoing charm. This is not one of those frenetic, loud teen comedies in which implausible characters engage in outrageous actions that in no way resemble reality. Here we have the story of high school senior Danny (Steven Kaplan), who's spent a small fortune on the hotel room, limo, and tux for his prom. What he doesn't have is a date. The always-wonderful William H. Macy, complete with black curly wig, and Cheryl Hines play Steven's divorced parents, both self-absorbed with seeking relationships of their own. "Bart Got a Room" is not a rollicking movie with wisecarcks issuing forth from precocious teens' mouths every few seconds. The comedy is more about Steven's awkwardness in deciding who to take to the prom. Since he's not the cliched football hero girls would be eager to accompany to the prom, Steven is sympathetic with his ordinary looks, gentle temperament, and overall sweetness. Alia Shawkat is very good as Camille, Steven's longtime friend, and Jennifer Tilly pops up as an overly amorous woman Steven's dad met online. There are wonderful little moments here and there of South Floridians doing what they do -- hanging out on the beach, playing cards, having the Early Bird Special, listening to a sparsely-attended concert of 40's music -- which add nice atmosphere to the movie. There is a brief scene at the beginning of Steven and his family having dinner. The interaction here is very funny, in a natural way, and I'd like to have seen more. There's comic potential in some supporting characters that is not fully mined. As far as the bonus extras, I wasn't able to access the Pop-Up Production Notebook and the theatrical trailer. I don't know if this is an inherent problem with the release or unique to the disc I watched. The movie itself played perfectly.

Bart Got A Room is a refreshing different take on a high school prom movie. This is not your typical teen film. It is sophisticated, subtle and extremely funny. Not only would teens enjoy this film, but also anyone who enjoys movies written by Neil Simon or John Hughes. It is a film set in the present that is a classic. It captures the juxtaposition between what it must be like growing up as a teenager in Florida versus the ever growing old age population there. This low budget film is a timeless modern classic. I can't recommend it enough.

"Bart Got A Room" is not your typical prom movie. Except for a visual gag or two, there is no gratuitous sex or nudity. It remains on the tasteful side (99% of the time). I could see an R rating instead of the PG-13 the movie got based on a couple of scenes.

I would not say this is a "must see", rolling on the floor laughing movie, however it is well paced and have some very funny moments. The movie centers around a teenaged boy, Danny Stein, portrayed by Stephen Kaplan. Danny is struggling between his options for a prom date. One option is his life-long friend Camille, played by Alia Shawkat.

William Macy turns in another fine comedic performance in reliable fashion as the divorced father of the boy, grappling with his own dating woes. His ex-wife is played by Cheryl Hines who fits the bill as Danny's middle-aged, divorced and back on the dating circuit, mom.

Jennifer Tilly has a bit part as one of Macy's dates, but makes the most of her two minutes. There are a few other roles, most small (the limo driver, some of Macy's dates) which add some very funny moments to the flick.

The storyline carries a lighthearted, yet poignant, look at the boy's dilemma. This is what sets it apart from the usual prom/high school movie.

As for the movie's namesake, Bart is an interested character - I don't want to say any more and spoil anything. Pick up a copy of the movie - it's a nice story and there are enough laughs to make it interesting to watch.

Every once in a great while, a movie comes along with so much energy that you cannot help but smile. "Bart Got a Room" is one of those movies.

Released in select theaters earlier this year, the Anchor Bay Entertainment coming-of-age comedy is now available on DVD. It is barely longer than an hour but it is one of the most enjoyable little flicks you will see in 2009. With a supporting cast that includes William H. Macy and Cheryl Hines and a story that anyone who has ever wanted to feel included can appreciate, "Bart Got a Room" is a must-see-DVD.

The movie's main character is Danny Stein (Steven Kaplan), a high school student who has not had the best of luck with romantic relationships. He has a couple of female friends - the pretty Alice (Ashley Benson) and the reliable Camille (Alia Shawkat) - but, for the most part, Danny spends a lot of time around the elderly folks in the retirement community in which he resides.

The "Bart" in the film's title refers to the biggest loser in school. And, as the title suggests, even he has a room reserved for post-prom celebrations. This has created severe stress on Danny, who has yet to secure a date to the big dance. When Alice shames him for believing their friendship could be anything more than just that, Danny embarks on a desperate search for the right girl.

It is a simple story but told so well in the hands of writer/director Brian Hecker. Perhaps its greatest asset of all is the fact the audience can identify so well with the plot. And, although the movie ends a bit sooner than they would like, Hecker sends the audience a fast-paced journey into the teenage psyche complete with the tenderness required to make it a modern classic.

I cannot overstate the movie's stamina. That is what truly sets "Bart Got a Room" apart from other flicks with similar plots. From the moment the opening credits roll to the tune of Benny Goodman's "Sing, Sing, Sing with a Swing," it is clear the movie has a catchy beat to it. This plays into the countdown to prom gimmick as Danny slowly runs out of time to keep up with Bart's social progress. It is not unusual for the character to hop on his bicycle and race down the street in a fit of panic.

Kaplan is perfect as Danny. His desperation oozes through the screen. The only actor who comes close to stealing Kaplan's thunder is Macy, whose character is wiling to abandon his own happiness for that of his son. Macy gives the oddest performance of his cinematic career and pulls off every moment of it.

With so much energy, you might think "Bart Got a Room" would run out of steam at some point. But Hecker keeps the fun barreling at you until the very last scene which, by the way, is full of heart. It is a movie that every teenager anticipating a school dance should watch. But why stop there when we have all been in Danny's place at one time or another in our lives. "Bart Got a Room" is a rare gem that anyone and everyone will love.

As far as movie making goes, Bart Got a Room is better than most. We laughed throughout, and we were impressed at how perfectly the characters were cast. It's refreshing when a movie keeps your attention, entertains, and makes sense without spending zillions on special effects and/or the most recognizable faces.

A MUST SEE!

This film really it home for me. It reminded me so much of MY OWN prom experience. I laughed in so many scenes, but it was refreshing to see a movie that was able to depict so many universal themes of adolescence and teen angst without having to revert to cheesiness or overdone raunchiness to get the laughs. The star of the movie, Danny, is a guy that so many can identify with and relate to. My favorite character was Camille, who was refreshing and delightful. She seemed so real, I felt as though I already knew her.

Gather a group of high school friends together, or watch it with your own teens. You will truly enjoy this DVD.