The Giant Mechanical Man

4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (205 customer reviews)
From Tribeca Film. Charming romantic comedy that proves it only takes one person to make you feel important. Starring Jenna Fischer (The Office), Chris Messina (Vicky Christina Barcelona) and Topher Grace (That 70's Show).
  • Starring: Jenna Fischer, Topher Grace
  • Directed by: Lee Kirk
  • Runtime: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Release year: 2012
  • Studio: Tribeca Film
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Product Details
Synopsis: From Tribeca Film. Charming romantic comedy that proves it only takes one person to make you feel important. Starring Jenna Fischer (The Office), Chris Messina (Vicky Christina Barcelona) and Topher Grace (That 70's Show).
Starring: Jenna Fischer, Topher Grace
Directed by: Lee Kirk
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Runtime: 1 hour 30 minutes
Captions and Subtitles: Details
Release year: 2012
Studio: Tribeca Film
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for some sexual content and brief strong language
ASIN: B007PKOKZY (Rental) and B009ZQHUSA (Purchase)
Rights & Requirements
Rental rights: 3 day viewing period Details
Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details
Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)

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Theatrical Release Information
  • US Theatrical Release Date: April 17, 2012
  • MPAA: Rated PG-13 for some sexual content and brief strong language
  • Production Company: Votiv Films, ITS Capital, Taggart Productions, Two Tall Boots
  • Filming Locations: Detroit, Michigan, USA

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Customer Reviews

Very sweet romantic comedy. Sheila  |  50 reviewers made a similar statement
Simplify life, be yourself and love others. TheTotalConcept  |  18 reviewers made a similar statement
The story was slow and boring at times. Mike "Packfan"  |  12 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
"It only takes just one person to make you feel special and valid and like you belong in the world." Janice (Fischer) is having a hard time finding and keeping a job not to mention trying to figure out what to do with her life. Tim (Messina) is doing what he wants to do with his life but feels unappreciated and is not making money at it. Both giving up they take jobs working at the local zoo. They strike up a quick friendship and want to develop more, but there are obstacles standing in their way. This is the definition of a sweet movie. I have never been a big fan of the typical love story movies mainly because they are so unbelievable. The "good guys" are overly good and the "bad guys" are way to horrible. While this did have a little of that this one is way more realistic and I would call this a real-life love story. This is a very sweet movie and the type of date movie that both men and women will enjoy. Overall, one of the better independent love stories I have seen. I give it an A-.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Review of the DVD version of this "independent film" September 29, 2012
Format:DVD
I like small independent films and this one fits the bill. It's not "great" but I felt the time was well spent and it beats 90% of the "relationship comedies" on TV these days.

Actress Jenna Fischer (form TV's "The Office") Executive Produced this film which stars her and actor Chris Messina. As you'll see from other reviews posted here, it's the story of two people trying to find, not only their place in the world, but a person who will understand them. The title comes from Messina's character who paints his face with silver paint and acts as a moving "stature" on the streets of Detroit, MI. (I'll point out here that nowhere in the film are you given a clue as to what "city" the film takes place - until the final credits. Detroit does not have identifiable buildings like New York, Chicago, or San Francisco.).

Both leads are excellent, in my opinion, but the rest of the cast overact as "happy people" in Director Lee Kirk's attempt to make Fischer and Messina's character seem more introverted. It seemed forced to me.

The 96-minute film is worth your time if you like "droll" - though smart - characters.

There is one bonus feature: A 3 ½ minute interview with Fischer and writer Director Kirk, that reveals that during the four years from when Fischer optioned the script till the film was released, they began dating, got married to each other and had a child together.

As I said, it's not great but well worth seeing on your home TV.

I hope you found this review both informative and helpful.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Amazon Instant Video
With a solid comic ensemble including Jenna Fischer, Chris Messina, Topher Grace, and Malin Ackerman, I was prepared to be swept up in the contemporary romance of "The Giant Mechanical Man." Fischer's charms are on evident display here, she nails the every woman quality that makes her so inherently likable. And Messina steps into a leading role with ease, even though his "art form" of dressing in silver paint as a stilted street performer never rings true. As I've seen dozens of these acts, Messina lacks the technical sharpness to be so smug in his skills and contribution to the art world. Of course, this being a thoughtful indie--these two attractive and winning actors represent the lonely and disconnected among us. "The Giant Mechanical Man" becomes, thus, a very familiar movie in both its themes and plotting. I even have a nickname for these films, I have truly seen them so many times (and more often than not, they are meaningful low-budget indies). This is what I call a Lonelyhearts films where people who are attractive, intelligent, and appealing somehow manage to live depressive lives yearning for a soul mate.

A certain heavy handedness is apparent in the character introductions. Fischer is such a hard case, she gets berated and set-up by her overbearing sister (Ackerman, lacking any form of subtlety). One such hook-up is with Grace (in a terrible wig) as a creepy and unrealistic self-help guru whose bluster masks his own visible insecurities. And Messina is dumped by a girlfriend who doesn't understand his commitment to his art (never mind that he doesn't support her and goes out of his way to embarrass her at a work function). The two wander the city, dine alone, and stare purposefully into space while moody music plays. These are all the cues you need to realize that these thirtysomethings are deeply unhappy. As movie fate would have it, the two both search the newspaper help wanted ads (no computers in the city?) and get different, but instantaneous, jobs at the local zoo. They are, of course, drawn to one another. Fischer, by the way, is also fascinated by Messina's silver alter ego whom she has opened up to in a moment of vulnerability (she doesn't know it's him. Even when she goes to his mostly empty apartment, she must not notice the work table with all the makeup).

As expected, there is nothing really keeping these two apart but the screenplay builds in some manufactured obstacles. There are moments of amusement, but things unfold at a very leisurely pace. What do you think is going to happen? Will these two get together? Are nights of depression a thing of the past? I won't spoil anything, but I suspect you already know the answers. But without digging too deeply, the movie ends just as it arrives at its most pivotal moment. As I said, I like both Messina and Fischer. I just wish that I hadn't felt like I'd seen this movie at least a dozen different times in the past. Watching indie films, you'd think every city-dweller is isolated and unhappy just looking for love to complete them. It's a stereotype that is becoming a bit tired (especially when cast with actors that would seem to have everything going for them). Bonus points, though, Fischer finds a small screaming toy figurine. I own the exact little figure! It comes from the aptly titled Horrified B-Movie Victims Set from Accoutrements. About 3 1/2 stars. KGHarris, 10/12.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!
I am one of those people who must have something playing on the tv to go to sleep. Well, I chose this movie one night and ended up staying up to watch the whole thing! Read more
Published 11 hours ago by Good Vibes
4.0 out of 5 stars Simple and Sweet
I decided to view this after seeing the cast lineup, I was curious to see how Fischer would be opposite of Topher Grace whom I do love watching in 70's show. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Lorena A
4.0 out of 5 stars Simplistic message, beautifully done
At times I thought that this movie was going to hit me over the head with the "It only takes one person" message, but the thing that made it worth watching were the characters. Read more
Published 3 days ago by dcn8v
5.0 out of 5 stars love it!
This movie is fantastic!!! Jenna and Chris were amazing. The supporting cast was good as well. I watch this movie over and over again, just can't get enough!!!
Published 4 days ago by Brie Crum
5.0 out of 5 stars I have already recommended it twice
Very interesting and fun to watch, I call this feel good movie. I totally enjoyed my night home At home enjoying this movie.
Published 4 days ago by carolyn
3.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining
The movie is slow and predictable but entertaining. I thought Malin Akerman ‘s role was awful. Her lines were so annoying, we get the point, Jill was an awful sister! Read more
Published 5 days ago by Barbara Venezia
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Life-life movie
I love movies that are like real-life and that's what this movie was. I also love Jenna Fischer. This was a great movie about the desire to find meaning in life and to connect with... Read more
Published 5 days ago by Maraly
4.0 out of 5 stars Examining the post-modern adultolescent struggles.
Overall, a good movie that straddles that line between indie and mainstream and has some meaningful explorations, such as the tension in how siblings relate and today's young... Read more
Published 8 days ago by mincha
4.0 out of 5 stars Simple but effective; I liked it.
Jenna Fischer may not be able to extend her acting chops much past the soulful, doe-eyed, lost-in-a-big-world look she mastered on "The Office," but it works wonderfully... Read more
Published 8 days ago by jim hartman
3.0 out of 5 stars Slow and simple, but worth watching for some reason
I don't really know why, but I did ultimately enjoy this film. It doesn't offer a whole lot, but if you have nothing to watch, it's worth killing time with.
Published 9 days ago by Aaron Stauffer
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