The Amateurs (The Moguls) (Dirty Movie) (2005)
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15% of critics liked it
(26 reviews) -
45% of users liked it
(17,176 ratings)
A man down on his luck hatches a different kind of get-rich-quick scheme in this independent comedy. Andy Sargentee (Jeff Bridges) is a middle-aged divorcé who is down in the dumps after the departure of his wife, Thelma (Jeanne Tripplehorn), and son, Billy (Alex D. Linz). The fact that Thelma's… More A man down on his luck hatches a different kind of get-rich-quick scheme in this independent comedy. Andy Sargentee (Jeff Bridges) is a middle-aged divorcé who is down in the dumps after the departure of his wife, Thelma (Jeanne Tripplehorn), and son, Billy (Alex D. Linz). The fact that Thelma's new hubby is quite wealthy only makes things more troubling for Andy, and he keeps thinking that if he had more money he could be back in her good graces. One night, while knocking back drinks with his friends, Andy has a brainstorm -- pornography is big business these days, so why not round up the local talent and make an adult movie? Andy persuades his friend Barney (Tim Blake Nelson) to sign on as co-producer, and they start putting together a crew, including Emmett (Patrick Fugit), a kid with a video camera who becomes director of photography; Otis (William Fichtner), who volunteers to be the gofer who doesn't really do anything; and as director a guy known only by his nickname, Some Idiot (Joe Pantoliano). Casting proves to be a bit more problematic, especially after they discover that Moose (Ted Danson), who has been cast in the male lead, may be gay when he repeatedly fails to rise to the occasion. The Amateurs also stars Lauren Graham, Valerie Perrine, and Glenne Headly as some of the local women drafted into appearing in the movie; the picture was released in the United Kingdom under the title The Moguls. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Michael Traeger
- Genres
- Comedy
- In Theaters
- Feb 6, 2005 Wide
- Studio
- First Look Studios
Critic Reviews
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Mark Rahner, Seattle Times
It ranges from awkward to excruciating.
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Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
This sort of thing was done much better by the British years ago in The Full Monty and Calendar Girls. There's really no call for an American rehash.
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Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
Do not waste your time with The Amateurs.
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Dennis Lim, Los Angeles Times
There are no laughs to be found in writer-director Michael Traeger's would-be comedy The Amateurs, but there is one big mystery: how actors of this caliber could have been convinced to take part.
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Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
You'll notice that the actors are way overqualified for this nonsense. But the kick they get out of one another is what pulls you in.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Jeff Bridges
as Andy Sargentee
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Ted Danson
as Moose
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William Fichtner
as Otis
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Patrick Fugit
as Emmett
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Lauren Graham
as Peggy
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Glenne Headly
as Helen Tatelbaum
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Tim Blake Nelson
as Barney Macklehatton
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Joe Pantoliano
as Some Idiot
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Jeanne Tripplehorn
as Thelma
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Isaiah Washington
as Homer
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Judy Greer
as Ellie
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John Hawkes
as Moe
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Brad William Henke
as Ron
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Tom Bower
as Floyd
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Dawn Didawick
as Clara
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Jayne Taini
as Mrs. Morelli
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Alex D. Linz
as Billy
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Steven Weber
as Howard
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Melinda Dahl
as Charlene
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Valerie Perrine
as V
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Fiona Hunter
as Veronica
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Eileen Brennan
as Mrs. Cherkiss
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Troy R. Brenna
as Ernest
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Brad Garrett
as Wally
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Elden Henson
as Salesman
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Aldo Bigante
as Jack
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Elliot Cates
as Reverend
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Norm O'Neill
as Clara's Man






