Everybody's Famous! (2000)

54% of critics liked it
(52 reviews)
57% of users liked it
(1,313 ratings)

Just how far should a father go to help his daughter gain fame and fortune? Jean (Josse De Pauw) lives in a working-class Belgian community, where he holds down a job at a bottle factory with his friend Willy (Werner De Smedt). Jean and his wife Chantal (Gert Portael) have a teenage daughter, Marva… More Just how far should a father go to help his daughter gain fame and fortune? Jean (Josse De Pauw) lives in a working-class Belgian community, where he holds down a job at a bottle factory with his friend Willy (Werner De Smedt). Jean and his wife Chantal (Gert Portael) have a teenage daughter, Marva (Eva van der Gucht), who like her father, is interested in music; Jean likes to write songs in his spare time, while Marva dreams of becoming a singer. But Jean's songs don't seem to impress anyone but Willy, and while Marva has a good voice, she's overweight, has little charisma, and seems a poor prospect for success in show business. When the bottle factory is shut down, both Jean and Willy are thrown into dire circumstances, and Jean is trying to figure out how to support his family when his car breaks down in the middle of nowhere. He is offered a ride by a friendly stranger, whom Jean soon recognizes as Debbie (Thekla Reuten), a well-known pop singer. In a flash of ill-advised inspiration, Jean gives Debbie a heavily drugged beverage, and after she passes out, he spirits her away to a cottage in the woods. He then contacts Debbie's manager (Victor Low), informing him that he has the star hidden away -- and if he ever wants to see her again, Marva has to be given a chance to sing on national television. Iedereen Beroemd! was shown in competition at the 2000 Venice Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Dominique Deruddere
Written By: Dominique Deruddere
Genres: Musical & Performing Arts, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 6, 2001 Wide
On DVD: Nov 13, 2001
Studio: Miramax Films

Critic Reviews

Jennie Punter, Toronto Star
The ideas are not pushed nearly as far or with as much success as they are in, for example, King Of Comedy, The Icicle Thief (the 1989 Italian comedy) or even Ed TV, for that matter.
Louis B. Parks, Houston Chronicle
Often loses focus and wanders, unsure of where it wants to go.
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A funny idea in search of a funny execution.
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News
Who in the world is in charge of foreign film Oscar nominations? And what hints of greatness did they see in this artlessly benign little comedy?
Susan Stark, Detroit News
An entertaining enough oddity, goosed by the added interest of its report on the high level of acting talent from Belgium.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The movie ... was one of this year's Oscar nominees for best foreign film, leading one to wonder what films were passed over to make room for it.
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews
With so many great documentaries and foreign films each year, why does the Academy so often come up with second-rate choices in these two categories?
Frank Ochieng, Filmcritic.com
Everybody's Famous! starts out as a triumphant commentary on what it takes to achieve celebrity and the wealth it promises. But as the film progresses, it becomes wildly tedious and wacky.
Steve Schneider, Orlando Weekly
De Pauw has one of those soulful, comedically inclined faces that invites instant empathy, and the rest of the cast is likewise well chosen.
Jim Slotek, Jam! Movies
You have to like a movie that, in its rosy denouement, proclaims giddily, 'It's a great day for Flemish showbiz!'
Robert W. Butler, Kansas City Star
Dominique Deruddere's film is at heart all soft and squishy.
Elias Savada, Nitrate Online
Yes, I admit it, the film's corny, but there's nothing wrong with this can of sweet, imported niblets.

Read all 12 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jan Marc M

Everybody's Famous is an Academy Award nominee for Best Foreign Language Film with plot on fame and stardom bordering ridiculous and stupid, but still sweet, likable, and funny.
Curt C

The ending will have you cheering for the characters, and was pretty moving and honest for a comedy; but honestly, this took a lot of time to start going anywhere, and there are a lot of cookie cutter roles.

Cast

            Josse De Pauw as Jean Vereecken

            Werner De Smedt as Willy van Outreve

            Eva van der Gucht as Marva Vereecken

            Thekla Reuten as Debbie

            Victor Löw as Michael Jansen

            Gert Portael as Chantal Vereecken

            Ianka Fleerackers as Gaby

            Alice Reys as Lies

            Steve Ryckier as Julio Iglesias imitation

            Olivier Ythier as Freddy Mercury imitation

            Hein Sienkiewicz as Otis Redding imitation

            Deen Van der Zaken as State Police warrant officer

            Heidi Verheyden as State Police officer

            Viko Cockx as State Police officer

            Frank Iwens as State Police officer

            Mario Despiegeleer as State Police officer

            Christophe Vercoullie as State Police officer

            Gunter Van Den Bergh as State Police officer

            Wouter Talon as State Police officer

            Michel Van Herck as State Police officer

            Matthias Sercu as Jim Poppe

            Wim Opbroeck as Rik de Visser

            Mark Van Eeghem as Georges

            Sylke Aerts as Greet

            Caroline Rottier as Hair Stylist

            Lut Hannes as Friend

            George Arrendell as Dave

            Hilt de Vos as Woman on talk show

            Sylvia Claes as Announcer

            Christian Nolens as Newscaster

            Miriam Thys as Newscaster

            Bert Vannieuwenhuyse as Newscaster

            Filip Peeters as State Police Officer

            Tanja Cloeck as Singer in restroom

            Carl Ridders as Producer

            Per Eggers as Neighbor

            Siegred Vincke as Teacher

            François Beukelaers as NTO Director

            Damiaan Deschrijver as State Police Spokesperson

            Dominiek Vansteertegem as D. J.

            Hugo Van Den Bremt as Yup Host

            Marc Didden as Talk Show Director

            Jan Roos as "Song Organ" Director

            Ivo Kuyl as Pharmacist

            Christophe Stienlet as V. J.

            Alain Van Goethem as "Green Room" Singers

            Annick Vandercruyssen as "Lonesome Zorra" Sound Mixer

            Silvia Anglade as Spanish Newscaster

            Mieke Verdin as Psychiatrist

            Guy Dermul as Host 1

            Max Thijsen as Host 2
See full cast

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Everybody's Famous! (2000)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Jan Marc M

Curt C

Cast

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