Barry Munday (2008)

43% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
36% of users liked it
(2,199 ratings)

Barry Munday, a suburban wanna-be ladies man, wakes up in the hospital after being attacked in a movie theater, only to realize that he is missing one of his most prized possessions... his testicles. To make matters worse, Barry learns he's facing a paternity lawsuit filed by a woman he can't… More Barry Munday, a suburban wanna-be ladies man, wakes up in the hospital after being attacked in a movie theater, only to realize that he is missing one of his most prized possessions... his testicles. To make matters worse, Barry learns he's facing a paternity lawsuit filed by a woman he can't remember having sex with. With this being Barry's last chance to ever be a father, Barry reaches out and embraces the journey of parenthood and the onslaught of bumps that face him along the way. Filled with an ensemble of unusual characters, "Barry Munday" is the surprisingly heart-warming tale of a guy who finds it took losing his manhood to be a better man.-- (C) Official Site

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Chris D'Arienzo
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 1, 2010 Limited
On DVD: Dec 7, 2010
Studio: Magnolia Pictures

Critic Reviews

Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times
D'Arienzo's love of trite indie-movie signposts of comic quirkiness -- deadpan delivery, overly formal camerawork, characters delivering dialogue into the camera, stunt casting -- is ultimately regrettable.
Jay Antani, Cinema Writer
D'Arienzo's screenplay and direction goes for a cross between naturalism and absurdity, but it's largely a queasy, oil-and-water blend.
Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com
An oddball feature lacking a fine point to tie it all together, but it spotlights a cast game to try something new for a change, committing to the aimlessness with endearing slack-jawed concentration.
Fred Topel, Can Magazine
Barry remains immature in serious situations like a doctors office. He does follow a respectable character arc, never sacrificing humor to learn his lessons.
Neil Miller, Film School Rejects
It trades schmaltz for honesty and receives heaps of laughs as its reward.
Peter Martin, Cinematical
[Transcends] a familiar plot with sharp dialogue and awkward grace.
Scott Tobias, NPR.org
A deeply off-putting independent comedy.
Jason McKiernan, Filmcritic.com
With characters this grating, one wonders how much better Barry Munday might have been had all these good performers just acted normal
Nathan Rabin, AV Club
This sluggishly paced quirkfest is awfully sophomoric for a film all about giving up the facile thrills of youth for the responsibilities of adulthood.
Geoff Berkshire, Metromix.com
Just what we need, another self-consciously quirky indie comedy as low on laughs as it is on inspiration.
Karina Longworth, L.A. Weekly
A dreadfully unfunny slog through contemporary dysfunctional family indie cliché.
JimmyO, iamROGUE
Barry Munday is strange and offbeat, and even a little honest and heartfelt.
Dustin Putman, DustinPutman.com
You watch it, you shrug, you go about your day.
Jason Zingale, Bullz-Eye.com
Manages to be both funny and touching when it doesn't seem capable of either.

Read all 14 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

A very sweet little indie-comedy. When I read the description, I figured that this would be a stupid comedy. I dont like stupid comedies. This is a sweet story about fatherhood, and how it makes some men take responsibility for their lives. It's also a love story without being… More
A very sweet little indie-comedy. When I read the description, I figured that this would be a stupid comedy. I dont like stupid comedies. This is a sweet story about fatherhood, and how it makes some men take responsibility for their lives. It's also a love story without being sappy. Things don't have to happen perfectly to be happy.
jay n

Crass and crude this so called comedy wastes a good cast on a vulgar, poorly written script. Improves towards the end but by then it's too late.
Conner R

Truly one of Patrick Wilson's shining moments; a comedic masterpiece on his part. It's almost hard saying anything bad about this really, the comedy and story are just so well done. While some of the characters could have been done over the top, they're not, they exist… More
Truly one of Patrick Wilson's shining moments; a comedic masterpiece on his part. It's almost hard saying anything bad about this really, the comedy and story are just so well done. While some of the characters could have been done over the top, they're not, they exist in a very real world. The lifestyle and attitude of Barry Munday is something I won't forget any time soon.
Lorenzo v

"It's what's missing that makes them complete." Barry Munday wakes up after being attacked to realize that he's missing his family jewels. To make matters worse, he learns he's facing a paternity lawsuit filed by a woman he… More
"It's what's missing that makes them complete." Barry Munday wakes up after being attacked to realize that he's missing his family jewels. To make matters worse, he learns he's facing a paternity lawsuit filed by a woman he can't remember having sex with. <center>REVIEW</center> The comedy is quite subtle and placed squarely on the shoulders of the stellar cast. Supporting standouts are Jean Smart who genuinely shines and a number of oddballs, including every member (pun intentional) of a genital mutilation support group. Sadly, Cybil Shepherd and Malcolm McDowell are nearly non-entities. Chloe Sevigny (the woman's sister) has a great turn as the family favorite, stripper, female horndog equivalent to Barry. This film belongs to Patrick Wilson, but particularly Judy Greer. In other films her edgy sidekick has been one-note abrasive. Here, in a tour-de-force, she juggles that same edge, bitterness, sexiness without sex appeal and near naked vulnerability. Her performance is an eye opener. Judy Greer fans (I was not really one of them) will rejoice. Great comedy creates a tapestry of the human condition between the laughs. "Barry Munday" delivers in spades. While not earth-shattering, the revelations - sibling rivalry, emotional and physical abandonment, true sadness, ego gratification, family denial at any cost, irresponsibility - in this comedic (left-handed) spin of "Taming of the Shrew" presents a beautifully crafted arc for the two main, emotionally damaged characters. With multiple layers, smart writing, fine acting and terrific direction, "Barry Munday" is a wholly satisfying comedy light on the didactic, heavy on the weird, right on target overall.
♥˩ƳИИ &

Cast: Patrick Wilson, Judy Greer, Chloë Sevigny, Jean Smart, Malcolm McDowell, Billy Dee Williams, Cybill Shepherd, Shea Whigham, Missi Pyle, Mae Whitman, Colin Hanks Director: Chris D'Arienzo Summary: After a movie theater rendezvous with a teenager leads to a vicious… More
Cast: Patrick Wilson, Judy Greer, Chloë Sevigny, Jean Smart, Malcolm McDowell, Billy Dee Williams, Cybill Shepherd, Shea Whigham, Missi Pyle, Mae Whitman, Colin Hanks Director: Chris D'Arienzo Summary: After a movie theater rendezvous with a teenager leads to a vicious attack from the girl's trumpet-wielding father, consummate womanizer Barry Munday (Patrick Wilson) wakes up in the hospital and discovers that his testicles were removed. Robbed of his chance to ever procreate, Barry is thrilled when he discovers he's been named in a paternity suit, even though he has no memory of ever sleeping with the plaintiff. My Thoughts: "I went into this film with the thought process of "this is going to be bad", but I really liked this movie. It was funny, silly, and at moments, an honest film. I really liked Ginger. She just said whatever she was thinking with no censoring. The 'intervention', was hilarious. You start out loathing Barry, but in the end you will love him. Barry and Ginger, have to be one of my favorite on screen couples."
Christopher H

"Barry Munday" is an indie comedy that nicely rides the line between smart and raunchy, but never really delves fully into either. A blend of "There's Something About Mary" and "Meet the Parents" without all the slippery slope underdog story. The… More
"Barry Munday" is an indie comedy that nicely rides the line between smart and raunchy, but never really delves fully into either. A blend of "There's Something About Mary" and "Meet the Parents" without all the slippery slope underdog story. The film has quite the ensemble cast with Judy Greer steering back into her nerdy persona. The gorgeous Chloe Sevigny was worth every minute of her small role and even Billy Dee Williams graces the film. Not what I expected from the film, which is definitely a good thing.