A Futile & Stupid Gesture (2018)

Some movies sit on your watchlist for so long that they basically become part of the furniture.

That was me with A Futile and Stupid Gesture.

It had been sitting in my Netflix list for what feels like years, and honestly, the main reason it stayed there for so long was simple: Will Forte. I’ll watch pretty much anything he’s in. Ever since his Saturday Night Live days, I’ve thought he was comedy magic that somehow balanced absurdity with complete sincerity.

And then there’s The Last Man on Earth, which I genuinely adore and will defend forever.

So eventually, I finally stopped scrolling past this movie and actually watched it.

And what surprised me most is that I really didn’t know much about the story going in. I knew it was connected to National Lampoon, I knew it had a strong cast, and that was about it. Which, honestly, might have been the best way to experience it.

Because this movie is… a lot.

Not bad, just chaotic.

It’s loud, messy, vulgar, self-aware, occasionally emotional, and constantly moving. Which, from what I now understand about the origins of National Lampoon, actually feels pretty fitting. The film captures this era of comedy that was simultaneously brilliant and completely unhinged, where pushing boundaries seemed less like a creative choice and more like a lifestyle.

And at the center of all of it is Will Forte playing a version of a character I’m just not used to seeing from him.

That was probably the biggest adjustment for me.

In my head, Will Forte exists in this very wholesome comedy space. Even when he’s being ridiculous, there’s usually something oddly lovable underneath it. Here, though, he’s playing someone far more flawed, selfish, reckless, and less likable than I expected.

There were multiple moments where I found myself literally talking to the screen like I was watching a reality show.

“No. Don’t cheat on your wife.”

“Please stop making terrible decisions.”

“You were doing so well five minutes ago.”

And weirdly, that made the movie more engaging.

Because underneath all the comedy and excess, there’s actually a pretty sad story unfolding. One about ambition, ego, creativity, and the cost of constantly chasing bigger and louder success. The film never fully abandons its comedic tone, but there’s definitely an undercurrent of burnout and self-destruction running through it.

Stylistically, the movie also does some interesting things.

It breaks the fourth wall fairly often, with characters directly addressing the audience in ways that sometimes worked for me and sometimes pulled me out of the story a bit. It adds to the chaotic energy of the film, but it also makes everything feel slightly less grounded emotionally. You’re constantly aware that you’re watching a movie about these people rather than fully disappearing into the story itself.

That said, I still found it fascinating.

Particularly because the movie isn’t just about one person. It’s about an entire comedic movement and the personalities behind it. You start to see how much of modern comedy was influenced by this group of people who were all simultaneously geniuses and disasters.

Which feels pretty on brand for comedy history.

The cast overall is excellent, and everyone seems fully committed to the tone, which helps a lot because this could have easily become exhausting in less capable hands. Instead, it manages to stay entertaining even when the characters themselves become increasingly difficult to root for.

Would I call this a must-watch?

Probably not.

This isn’t one of those movies I’m immediately texting people about afterward, saying, “You HAVE to see this.” It’s more the kind of movie that comes up naturally in conversation when someone asks what you’ve watched recently or mentions Will Forte specifically.

But I am glad I finally watched it.

It’s entertaining, strange, occasionally frustrating, and undeniably interesting. And if you’re someone who enjoys behind-the-scenes stories about entertainment history, especially the messier side of creative genius, there’s a good chance you’ll get something out of it.

At the very least, it made me appreciate just how bizarre the rise of National Lampoon really was.