A Bunch of Amateurs (2008)

35% of users liked it
(360 ratings)

Jefferson Steel is an ageing Hollywood action hero. He's vain, insecure and out of work. In a final attempt to find Jefferson work his agent stumbles upon the perfect role: playing King Lear at Stratford-upon-Avon. Jefferson believes he has landed the role of a lifetime; arriving in the UK to… More Jefferson Steel is an ageing Hollywood action hero. He's vain, insecure and out of work. In a final attempt to find Jefferson work his agent stumbles upon the perfect role: playing King Lear at Stratford-upon-Avon. Jefferson believes he has landed the role of a lifetime; arriving in the UK to discover that instead of a leading role in a Stratford-upon-Avon, he is booked to tread the boards with an amateur dramatic society in the sleepy English village Stratford St John, Suffolk. A clash of cultures with comic complications ensues in this funny and ultimately moving comedy.

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Andy Cadiff
Genres: Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 31, 2009 Wide
Studio: CinemaNX

Critic Reviews

David Stratton, At the Movies (Australia)
There's something faintly embarrassing watching fading movie star BURT REYNOLDS, who looks embalmed, playing fading movie star Jefferson Steel, and something even more embarrassing when we're asked to accept that he makes a resounding success as Lear.
Louise Keller, Urban Cinefile
Overcooked to the point of being burnt, this total misfire in which Burt Reynolds' ageing has-been Hollywood actor finds himself in an amateur production of King Lear in England, is a fish-out-of-water comedy gone badly wrong.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Gordon A

Cosy am-dram luv in which is completely bland like a warm ovaltine on a Sunday night.
Phil H

I thought this was gonna be straight to DVD crap but it actually quite a nice charming little film about a big head Hollywood actor trying his luck in a small English village with the local thesp troop and some Shakespearian roles. Its not groundbreaking or anything but it is a good,… More
I thought this was gonna be straight to DVD crap but it actually quite a nice charming little film about a big head Hollywood actor trying his luck in a small English village with the local thesp troop and some Shakespearian roles. Its not groundbreaking or anything but it is a good, fun funny little film with a great performance by Burt Reynolds and all the supporting UK cast members, especially Derek Jacobi as a jealous thesp hehe Really enjoyed it, shame its missed the big screen and better attention.