Overnight (2003)

78% of critics liked it
(77 reviews)
68% of users liked it
(4,031 ratings)

The megalomaniacal rise and fall of filmmaker Troy Duffy is chronicled by one-time friends and colleagues in director Mark Smith's documentary. The film takes its title from the "overnight success" that befell Duffy in 1996, when the then-bartender was signed by Miramax president Harvey Weinstein to… More The megalomaniacal rise and fall of filmmaker Troy Duffy is chronicled by one-time friends and colleagues in director Mark Smith's documentary. The film takes its title from the "overnight success" that befell Duffy in 1996, when the then-bartender was signed by Miramax president Harvey Weinstein to direct his killers-on-a-mission-from-God script The Boondock Saints. Smith's cameras follow Duffy from pre-production -- when he battled with executives over casting and financing decisions -- on through to the lackluster release of the film. What's more, Duffy expected his relative cinematic success to translate over to his burgeoning rock band as well -- and the tension created by the presupposed deal caused him to alienate just about everyone involved with both projects. ~ Michael Hastings, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 21 min.
Directed By: Mark Brian Smith, Tony Montana
Genres: Documentary, Television, Musical & Performing Arts

In Theaters: Nov 10, 2004 Wide
On DVD: May 10, 2005
Studio: ThinkFilm

Critic Reviews

Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
[An] unflinching depiction of a would-be Tarantino turning himself into chopped liver.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
The story of the neither late nor great Troy Duffy would make the perfect film-school graduation gift.
Tom Long, Detroit News
While the film follows Duffy's business disasters and blusterings, it never really offers much depth on either its central subject or his posse.
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
It's a tale of ambition run amok and blown opportunity that is not only fascinating but cautionary.
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News
Audiences may reasonably wonder why they're being asked to spend time with Duffy. It's not an easy question to answer.
Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle
Highly entertaining, in a schadenfreude sense, but incomplete.
Nathan Rabin, AV Club
Tony Montana and Mark Brian Smith's acidic, vitriolic takedown of Duffy boasts the abrasive intensity of a migraine headache and the depth and scope of a bona fide American tragedy.
Wendy Mitchell, Film4
Duffy's story is a potentially notable one, but this documentary's amateur production values and the man's grating personality make it not-so-enjoyable watching.
David Fear, Time Out New York
A portrait of Hollywood hubris extraordinaire.
Shane Burridge, rec.arts.movies.reviews
For Duffy, watching this film must be like seeing a scab peeled off
Ben Walters, Time Out
A compulsive, cautionary tale about a man whose self-trumpeted 'deep cesspool of creativity' seems destined to remain undredged.
Louis Proyect, rec.arts.movies.reviews
The "next Quentin Tarantino" crashes and burns
, Empire Magazine
Enjoyable because you get to see a huge ego and shameless publicist get his comeuppence.
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
The two directors take so much abuse from Duffy throughout the film that you can't help but feel that Overnight is their long-overdue revenge.
, Empire Magazine
Enjoyable because you get to see a huge ego and shameless publicist get his comeuppence.
David Edwards, Daily Mirror [UK]
A disturbing, sad and blisteringly funny cautionary tale, I reckon this is the documentary of the year.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...plays out like an 82-minute attack on [Troy Duffy] by a couple of exceedingly bitter ex-colleagues.
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
funny and mean
Sarah Chauncey, Reel.com
Overnight is horrifying and fascinating... It should be required viewing in film schools and a cautionary tale for anyone aspiring to work in Hollywood.
Scott Weinberg, DVDTalk.com
Troy Duffy might have truly deserved the Hollywood Blacklisting, but it's tough to live down an indictment as thorough as Overnight.

Read all 20 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

paul o

The documentary is better than boondocks saints. Its a story of friends, trust, and money. Fantastic!
Lorenzo v

"There's More Than One Way To Shoot Yourself" A documentary on the rise and stumble of Troy Duffy, the bartender-cum-filmmaker who was swept up by Miramax's Harvey Weinstein to turn his script for The Boondock Saints into a feature film.… More
"There's More Than One Way To Shoot Yourself" A documentary on the rise and stumble of Troy Duffy, the bartender-cum-filmmaker who was swept up by Miramax's Harvey Weinstein to turn his script for The Boondock Saints into a feature film. <center>REVIEW</center> Overnight follows Hollywood urban legend Troy Duffy, a guy who went from bartender to the "next big thing" in the late 90s literally overnight with a prospective deal with Miramax for his cult script The Boondock Saints. Duffy was a member of a creative group who called themselves The Syndicate and two of the members were lucky (and smart) enough to document this period. They thought they were making a documentary about a unheard of rise to fame but instead chronicled the deranged dealings of an egomaniac unleashed. Some of the scenes in this movie are so cringe inducing (like nearly every frame Duffy is in). How a guy who has absolutely nothing to show for it can ramble on and on about how he is the impetus for all things positive happening and not to blame for anything negative is beyond me. How anyone listened to him after a series of self induced setbacks is even stranger. As the film progresses, the viewer is basically treated to a visual display of career suicide. Filmmakers Tony Montana and Mark Brian Smith are interviewed on the disc and asked why no one ever took Duffy aside and told him he was ruining his big break. They answer that about midway through their experience that they decided the only thing salvageable from this destructive situation would be this documentary. They were right and this is an amazingly candid peak into the world of show business.
Luke B

Overnight is a cautionary tale about the harsh reality of the film. It's also given extra theatrical strength due to the main character being one of almost complete fantasy. Duffy is the key element to his own demise. He's too sure of himself and has an attitude that only a… More
Overnight is a cautionary tale about the harsh reality of the film. It's also given extra theatrical strength due to the main character being one of almost complete fantasy. Duffy is the key element to his own demise. He's too sure of himself and has an attitude that only a mother could love. Trying to launch a film AND music career, one has to admire Duffy's drive, but not the fact he is almost unlikable. An underdog story that has you on the side of the huge money grabbing corporations just has to be watched. It's a great companion to The Boondok Saints. Saints was a great film, and ten years later, Duffy now has his sequel. Let's hope for a sequel to Overnight as well.
James A

While watching this documentary I could not help but root for Duffy's downfall and quick descent into obscurity.
E.J. B

Smart documentary. It's a must see for any film student on what not to do when you have a big production deal. Also...Boondock Saints sucks.
Aaron N

Troy Duffy: As for my film career? Get used to it, 'cuz it ain't goin' anywhere. Period. This is a documentary about Troy Duffy, the writer/director of Boondock Saints. The documentary shows how Duffy was just an ordinary guy who worked at as a bartender and had… More
Troy Duffy: As for my film career? Get used to it, 'cuz it ain't goin' anywhere. Period. This is a documentary about Troy Duffy, the writer/director of Boondock Saints. The documentary shows how Duffy was just an ordinary guy who worked at as a bartender and had written a screenplay that had caught the eye of producer Harvey Weinstein. From there, he is given the chance to make it into a movie as well as get his band going big time. Unfortunately, Duffy becomes a egomaniac and the documentary chronicles his downward spiral from his initial success, leading to the small release for his film and the end of Hollywood and Duffy getting along. Its fairly good, not too long, and interesting to see this side of a cult guy movie and how it got made to begin with. Troy Duffy: [about his band's royalties] You deserve it, but you won't get it.
Keysha H

MEGLOMANIAC!! This is a great film that is a cautionary tale to everyone entering a high profile profession. Watching Troy Duffy burn bridges left and right was engrossing..and teaches a very valuable lesson.
Lafe F

An interesting documentary about Troy Duffy, the arrogant filmmaker of "The Boondock Saints". It's got true scenes of him being a jerk to those around him. It was fun to watch, but it doesn't make Troy look very good. It's a special rarely-seen insight to… More
An interesting documentary about Troy Duffy, the arrogant filmmaker of "The Boondock Saints". It's got true scenes of him being a jerk to those around him. It was fun to watch, but it doesn't make Troy look very good. It's a special rarely-seen insight to Hollywood movie production.
William G

A trainwreck tale of a filmmaker eager to burn each and every bridge extended his way in Hollywood.
Leina R

All you need to know about this movie is Don't fuck with Harvey Weinstein. Interesting documentary. The guy kind of deserved what he got. Weinstein FTW.
Sean L

Very interesting story about a very unlikable man. Nothing special, but it was worth seeing, especially for those who don't particularly like The Boondock Saints.
Wu C

Fascinating and very hard to watch. A must see for anyone who wants to make a career in film.
Stefan P

Interesting documentary altough I would have preferred if they focused more on the movie and less on the band.
Christopher B

Awesome doc about the artist as asshole. God, Troy Duffy is one of the most unlikable, egotistical and hilarious people to ever walk the face of the earth. I went to film school with people just like this guy.