Insignificance (1985)

73% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(585 ratings)

Using four famous but unnamed individuals to symbolize a notorious era in American politics, as well as to explore the nature of despair, director Nicolas Roeg has created an intriguing drama. Based on a play by Terry Johnson, the story begins with the blond Theresa Russell as a sex-goddess actress… More Using four famous but unnamed individuals to symbolize a notorious era in American politics, as well as to explore the nature of despair, director Nicolas Roeg has created an intriguing drama. Based on a play by Terry Johnson, the story begins with the blond Theresa Russell as a sex-goddess actress working on a scene over a subway grate, with her skirts billowing out in the updraft. A famous Professor from Princeton with white hair opens his door to the actress, who takes out a few props and goes through her rendition of the theory of relativity. Between her theatrical mode of speech and his world of mathematics, there is a certain entente. Enter the ballplayer who is her husband (Gary Busey), in love but without a clue as to the actress' inner sadness. Throw in the senator from Wisconsin (Tony Curtis) before whose sub-committee on Unamerican Activities the Professor has to appear, and the undercurrent of a societal witch-hunt that ruined many careers in Hollywood, in academics, in sports, and in politics is churned into the story. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr.
Directed By: Nicolas Roeg
Written By: Terry Johnson
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 2, 1985 Limited
On DVD: Jun 13, 2011

Critic Reviews

James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
an intriguing, but ultimately slight "what if" fantasy
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
Reflects Roeg's views of the absurdity of American history and our compulsion to destroy beauty. [Blu-ray]
Sean Gandert, Paste Magazine
None of its characters have any sort of inner life and their motivations are simply to fulfill the goals of the screenplay.
Joseph Jon Lanthier, Slant Magazine
Four proto-celebrities go Roeg, and Gary Busey enters the Criterion Collection for the second time. What's not to like?
Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile
This audacious hypothetical is at once funny and dramatic, sometimes a little lopsided but always interesting
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A weird meditation on sex, power, knowledge and fame for those who enjoy exotic fare.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Fascinating, flawed Roeg film.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It is a noble idea for a film to satire some of the best known American pop culture heroes of the 1950s.

Read all 8 critic reviews

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

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lewis C

I really liked some parts of Insignificance, but there's a forced art house aspect to it that just seems unnecessary and weakens the movie.
Steven C

I found Nicolas Roeg's "Insignificance" to be extremely interesting. It's an experience that I will need more time to pin down, but it's a philosophical, hallucinatory and intriguing collusion of ideas, acting, writing and directing. The films main thesis is… More
I found Nicolas Roeg's "Insignificance" to be extremely interesting. It's an experience that I will need more time to pin down, but it's a philosophical, hallucinatory and intriguing collusion of ideas, acting, writing and directing. The films main thesis is that if everything is relative than everything is without meaning. This is very cool stuff.
Alec B

I'm still trying to work out what it all means, but its possible that there isn't a coherent central theme here, other than placing a few of the defining figures of the 50s in one room to see what happens. I found most of it interesting, especially watching the Marylin… More
I'm still trying to work out what it all means, but its possible that there isn't a coherent central theme here, other than placing a few of the defining figures of the 50s in one room to see what happens. I found most of it interesting, especially watching the Marylin Monroe character demonstrate the theory of relativity, and while its admittedly confusing I like that its really trying to grasp for the soul of a distinctive American decade.
Chris B

A Deep and meditative feature that captures your mind with it's complexity and your eyes with the vivid imagery. Recommended!

Cast

            Gary Busey as Ballplayer

            Tony Curtis as Senator

            Michael Emil as Professor

            Theresa Russell as Actress

            Will Sampson as Elevator Attendant

            Raymond J. Barry as Ballplayer's Father

            R.J. Bell as Theatrical Agent

            Daniel Benzali as Theatrical Agent

            Ray Charleson as Bud

            Jude Ciccolella as Gaffer

            Richard Davidson as Director of Photography

            Mitchell Greenberg as Technician

            Lou Hirsch as Charlie

            George Holmes as Actor

            Patrick Kilpatrick as Driver

            Ian O'Connell as Assistant Director

            Raynor Scheine as Autograph Hunter

            Cassie Stuart as Young Actress

            Joel Cutrara as Bar Drunk

            Meachell Dunsmoor as Actress as a Child

            Desiree Erasmus as Prostitute

            David Lambert as Young Professor

            David Montague as Young Senator

            Shinobu Kanai as Japanese Woman

            John Stamford as Young Ballplayer
See full cast