Meeting Spencer (2011)

36% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(58 ratings)

A celebrated Broadway director finds his life turned upside down while attempting to raise funding for his big comeback in this contemporary screwball comedy starring Jeffrey Tambor. Harris Chappell (Tambor) wasn't made for Hollywood. When his movie career hits the skids, he hightails it right back… More A celebrated Broadway director finds his life turned upside down while attempting to raise funding for his big comeback in this contemporary screwball comedy starring Jeffrey Tambor. Harris Chappell (Tambor) wasn't made for Hollywood. When his movie career hits the skids, he hightails it right back to Manhattan. Harris is convinced that he can recapture his status as one of Broadway's leading directors, and heads straight for Frankie & Johnnie's for a meeting with his ex Didi (Melinda McGraw) and a talented young actor named Spencer (Jesse Plemons). All Harris needs is one unqualified hit to re-launch his career, but as the night wears on nothing goes as planned, both his resolve and his sanity gradually begin to erode. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 26 min.
Directed By: Malcolm Mowbray
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Apr 8, 2011 Limited
On DVD: Mar 6, 2012
Studio: Paladin

Critic Reviews

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Mowbray has some fine credits, including "A Private Function," but he and his cast cannot breathe life into such hopeless material.
Kyle Smith, New York Post
At best a sporadically amusing sketchbook of theater types.
Neil Genzlinger, New York Times
Isn't quite savvy enough to compete with the slyest entries in that genre or madcap enough to run with the zaniest.
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
This painfully unfunny comedy set in the theater world is no All About Eve.
Ronnie Scheib, Variety
Within the confines of its stagy artificiality, the thesping mostly rings true.
Ella Taylor, Village Voice
Like many a movie about a play about a play, Meeting Spencer doesn't have much to say for itself other than all the world's a stage.
Mark R. Leeper, Mark Leeper's Reviews
The material Mowbray's film is familiar and the characters are thin, but the dialog is crisp and witty.
Tim Grierson, Screen International
A screwball comedy without nearly enough zest or wit.
David Noh, Film Journal International
This claustrophobically unfunny conceit begs the question: Is there anything worse than failed theatrical farce onscreen?
Pete Hammond, Back Stage
A touch of class and sweet sophistication with a brilliantly funny cast. Definitely an indie sleeper worth checking out.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A funny and deft portrait of the self-absorbed world of those involved in creating Broadway plays.