Full Frontal (2002)

38% of critics liked it
(142 reviews)
27% of users liked it
(5,852 ratings)

Described as a modern-day Hollywood version of Day for Night, director Steven Soderbergh's first digital video production was also shot employing a modified version of the frills-free Dogma 95 rules set forth by Lars Von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg, allowing a relatively small budget of about two… More Described as a modern-day Hollywood version of Day for Night, director Steven Soderbergh's first digital video production was also shot employing a modified version of the frills-free Dogma 95 rules set forth by Lars Von Trier and Thomas Vinterberg, allowing a relatively small budget of about two million dollars. Julia Roberts and Blair Underwood star, respectively, as Francesca and Calvin, actors performing in a motion picture directed by David Fincher and co-starring Brad Pitt (who play themselves). Woven in and out of the film production story thread are several other subplots including one about a lovelorn woman, Linda (Mary McCormack); the self-absorbed Gus (David Duchovny); and a husband, Carl (David Hyde Pierce), whose wife (Catherine Keener) is falling for Calvin. Described initially as a follow-up to Soderbergh's independent breakout hit, sex, lies and videotape, Full Frontal isn't a sequel in the strictest sense of the word and is only thematically related to the earlier film in its exploration of voyeurism and sexuality. The film also stars Brad Rowe, Enrico Colantoni, and Nicky Katt. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Steven Soderbergh
Written By: Coleman Hough
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 2, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Feb 11, 2003
Studio: Miramax Films

Critic Reviews

Peter Rainer, New York Magazine
Soderbergh is so busy trying to create his movie-within-a-movie -- and, in at least one instance, his movie-within- a-movie-within -a-movie -- that he botches the enclosing movie.
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News
The best you can say about Full Frontal, an ensemble piece that flirts with ideas about illusion and reality, is that the movie qualifies as a failed experiment.
Rex Reed, New York Observer
A boring, amateurish, incomprehensible and stupefyingly pretentious pile of swill.
Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
Mr. Soderbergh's direction and visual style struck me as unusually and unimpressively fussy and pretentious.
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
Full Frontal is like the 'Special Features' disc of the DVD without the original movie.
Jami Bernard, New York Daily News
When improv is done well, it sheds a unique light on the human condition. When it is done adequately, as it is in Full Frontal, it simply makes you long for a good script and pricey production values.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
Some vivid moments, but overall, just so-so.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
The most dense, fascinating collage of notions and meta-narrative references and formal tinkering in Soderbergh's whole career.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
It's a doodle movie, a sketchbook. I was held by the tinkering quality of it, though.
Judith Egerton, Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)
Soderbergh's movie likely will appeal more to filmmakers than filmgoers.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Click to read review
Anton Bitel, Movie Gazette
a dizzyingly convoluted exploration of sex, art, identity and reality
Josh Bell, Las Vegas Weekly
The meta-elements never hamper the central appeal of the film, which are the rich and flawed characters who are simply searching for a connection with another human being.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...Soderbergh has essentially gone full circle and made his artiest flick yet. Trouble is, it's just not terribly interesting.
Harry Guerin, RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland)
Should've been released as a lowkey DVD.
Ian Waldron-Mantgani, UK Critic
I sort of enjoyed it, but the movie plays amateurish and doesn't tell us anything new.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Michael S

I'll never understand the universal hate of Full Frontal; it's a good movie.
Michael G

If you're in the mood for random weirdness look no further.
Laura C

Comes across as trying a little too hard to be edgy. I did however find myself drawn to some characters and situations in particular. I especially liked the scenes with David Hyde Pierce and the veterinarian.
Joey N

Ugh...so annoying/boring. I was more entertained by the special features. Btw, the cast credits are misleading....David Duchovony only has one scene.
Sunil J

Just weird and not good. I didn't understand the point so maybe years from now I could try again and love it.