Heckler (2007)

60% of critics liked it
(5 reviews)
55% of users liked it
(1,481 ratings)

Nearly anyone who performs in public on a regular basis is familiar with the notion of the audience member who makes their opinions loudly and clearly known during the show, and like most comedians Jamie Kennedy has dealt with his fair share of hecklers over the course of his career. However, when… More Nearly anyone who performs in public on a regular basis is familiar with the notion of the audience member who makes their opinions loudly and clearly known during the show, and like most comedians Jamie Kennedy has dealt with his fair share of hecklers over the course of his career. However, when Kennedy moved from stand-up comic to actor, he encountered a new breed of heckler -- the on-line film critic who posts angry rants on the internet, taking Kennedy to task for nearly every aspect of such critically drubbed movies as Son Of The Mask and Malibu's Most Wanted. Kennedy teamed up with director Michael Addis to make the documentary Heckler, which explores the increasingly combative relationship between artists and their audience. Heckler features interviews with a number of comics and musicians discussing their experiences with loud-mouthed spectators (including Bill Maher, David Cross, Louie Anderson, Rob Zombie, Joe Rogan and David Allen Grier), but Kennedy goes a step further, confronting a number of the writers who've bad-mouthed his work and questioning their role in the creative process. Kennedy and Addis also talk with filmmaker Uwe Boll, who went so far as to challenge his critics to a boxing match. Heckler received its world premiere at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 17 min.
Directed By: Michael Addis
Genres: Documentary

On DVD: Oct 7, 2008
Studio: Jizzy Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Peter Debruge, Variety
Addis and Kennedy have tapped into a rich subject here.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Heckler isn't perfect, or even especially memorable, but if nothing else, it's at least the best movie that Kennedy's ever been involved with. And you can put that on the poster!
Amy Nicholson, I.E. Weekly
Kennedy objects to objections about his mean-spirited jokes; the unexplored subtext of this solid film is why all humor has gone negative?
Brian Orndorf, BrianOrndorf.com
Heckler doesn't penetrate like a proper documentary should; it's more silly than exploratory, missing a prime opportunity to crack open a dialogue between critic and performer that could generously benefit both parties.
Staci Layne Wilson, Horror.com
Jamie Kennedy and the film's director, Michael Addis, present an amazing amount of footage (including the Uwe Boll vs. The Critics boxing matches) and an impressive spectrum of sources (everyone from Jewel to George Lucas).

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Joe M

Hecklers come with the territory so quit crying about it and do your job.
James A

The part about actual hecklers in stand-up comedy was a great segment. The rest of the film has people who make millions of dollars wine about critics being negative. I feel that if you don't want the world to pick you apart and analyze your work get out of the fucking spot… More
The part about actual hecklers in stand-up comedy was a great segment. The rest of the film has people who make millions of dollars wine about critics being negative. I feel that if you don't want the world to pick you apart and analyze your work get out of the fucking spot light. A heckler is a horrible person and a critic is just someone with an opinion.
_kelly .

This movie has three distinct segments. The first is about actual hecklers of stand up comedians. The second is an over-reaching view on criticism in society, its effect on the criticized and what it reflects on the critic. The third is about how blogging and the internet have… More
This movie has three distinct segments. The first is about actual hecklers of stand up comedians. The second is an over-reaching view on criticism in society, its effect on the criticized and what it reflects on the critic. The third is about how blogging and the internet have exaggerated the nastiness of criticism. It made me reflect on my criticism. I realize that it's just easier to bitch. I can't be fawning over giving praise because I haven't the words or the nergy. As to how bad something is, I haven't usually the words for that either, but I've the energy to find shorter words to express my immediate anger at mediocrity, which is why most of my reviews are intentionally negative. However I find the amount of energy even for negativty to reflect on the overall effective nature of the film, whether it's effectively bad or incredibly great. Sometimes a film, by its greatness or its awfulness, leaves me without a long-winded reaction. Some things only need a sentence to promote it because that's how great it is conversely some things are so bad that I can't waste the investment of my time thinking and typing about it. I admit that I can't give 100%l all the time (which is why I put my reviews on Flixster or another similar site as opposed to in a draft bin for a book on actual film criticism), but I can always find the finger energy to get my negativity out. I'll give this film some of my genuine energy: I appreciate the wide range of people interviewed and I think it's a great modern sampling of entertainers, artists, and critics. Keep in mind that this film goes WAY beyond just hecklers into all criticism, but the heckler figure is used as a perfect example of the type of critic this film is standing up against. Hilarious yet human highlights: Jamie shows people REALLY slamming him to his face, and his reactions strike the side of us that has been criticized before. Uwe Boll punches the crap out of some detractors in a highly publicized boxing event. Footage of Bill Hicks going ballistic on a heckler. Letting the critic get their predictably negative say on the end of the film. Some people I'm really glad this film was able to interview: Richard Roeper, Andrew Dice Clay, Pauly Shore, Rob Zombie, Leonard Maltin, Joel Schumacher, all the geeky net reviewers I think if you're a creator of any sort and are or want to be involved in today's entertainment and arts world, you should see this doc, as it may help you sort through some stuff and put it in an objective perspective. It's also a good reminder to the bloggers to stay (well, in most cases, become) humble if they want to attain genuine and respected critical status.
William G

Why hecklers suck, okay. How critical our society has become, alright. Why online films critics suck specifically, you lost me.
rocko p

The best movie Jamie Kennedy has ever made. I love comedy docs. This one deals with not just hecklers in comedy but critics in general. I really liked how they transitioned from comedians dealing with hecklers to critics and what they're purpose is. Which isn't much of a… More
The best movie Jamie Kennedy has ever made. I love comedy docs. This one deals with not just hecklers in comedy but critics in general. I really liked how they transitioned from comedians dealing with hecklers to critics and what they're purpose is. Which isn't much of a purpose.
matt s

Interesting look at the world of critics, hecklers and comedy.
shane h

This movie really made me think about some of the past reviews I've done. As we sit here in our high and mighty chair at home by ourselves or at work or wherever you are doing your review you are safe to say whatever you want without consequences. What I missed is that you are… More
This movie really made me think about some of the past reviews I've done. As we sit here in our high and mighty chair at home by ourselves or at work or wherever you are doing your review you are safe to say whatever you want without consequences. What I missed is that you are reviewing someone else's hard work and in the end it really is just your opinion. How many times have you read a review or heard someone saying how a movie sucked and you thought it was awesome, it is kinda a kick in your nuts because they are basically saying you don't know what you are talking about. Honesty doesn't always have to be mean or hurtful. I have seen the light and my future reviews are gonna be still honest but not at the cost of someone's feelings. This movie was really funny and entertaining. I am a fan of almost all of the comics in the movie and laughed out loud at some of the heckler interactions. So think before you type because someone may write the same things about you someday and see what it makes you feel.
Christopher B

A uneven mix of insightful looks at the decline of modern criticism and the need for people to be negative and a self indulgent celebrity whining. A lot of people have noticed the lack of intelligent and thoughtful criticism with today's "thrill me or leave me alone"… More
A uneven mix of insightful looks at the decline of modern criticism and the need for people to be negative and a self indulgent celebrity whining. A lot of people have noticed the lack of intelligent and thoughtful criticism with today's "thrill me or leave me alone" audience. People would rather roast a celebrity than seriously discuss his/her shortcomings (which I don't think Kennedy would appreciate either), but the addition of the Kennedy's personal story really shot this one down. Like a lot of people who insert themselves in documentaries where they are not needed, it just seems like they need to be the star of the show rather than let the interesting concept take center stage. Too bad, I find myself complaining about modern films and criticism, and I really would have loved this if it wasn't for Kennedy. Jamie Kennedy needs to be stopped!