The Anarchist Cookbook (2002)
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39% of critics liked it
(18 reviews) -
56% of users liked it
(4,294 ratings)
A so-called anarchist gets an unexpected crash-course in living on the edge in this independent comedy drama. Puck (Devon Gummersall) is a college dropout and self-styled political radical who lives with a handful of friends in an anarchist commune near Plano, TX. Puck's roommates and fellow… More A so-called anarchist gets an unexpected crash-course in living on the edge in this independent comedy drama. Puck (Devon Gummersall) is a college dropout and self-styled political radical who lives with a handful of friends in an anarchist commune near Plano, TX. Puck's roommates and fellow semi-revolutionaries include aging hippie Johnny Red (John Savage), man-crazy feminist Karla (Gina Philips), DJ and ladies' man Sweeney (Johnny Whitworth), and cheerful mischief maker Double Dee (Steve Van Wormer). While Puck and his pals enjoy engaging in occasional acts of creative vandalism, their sense of anarchy is more a matter of personal choice than a genuine threat against the larger standing order. That begins to change when the mysterious Johnny Black (Dylan Bruno) ingratiates himself into the commune. Johnny Black's political agenda is significantly more aggressive than that of Puck and his friends, and his willingness to use violence to achieve his ends disturbs Puck, as Black not only takes control of the group, but adds guns, explosives, and sabotage to their formula. Puck also finds himself torn between his commitment to his ideals and his infatuation with Jody (Katherine Towne), whose sexual appetites run counter to her public reputation as a Christian and Young Republican organizer. Taking its title from William Powell's infamous book of the same name (which the author has since come to repudiate), The Anarchist Cookbook was the first feature film from writer and director Jordan Susman. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Jordan Susman
- Written By
- Jordan Susman
- Genres
- Drama, Art House & International, Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- Jun 1, 2002 Wide
- On DVD
- Aug 3, 2004
- Studio
- Innovation Film Group
Critic Reviews
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Katherine Leal Unmuth, Dallas Morning News
This movie is sharp. It makes you think.
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Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
The film feels as loose and unfocused as the collective's political beliefs, at times veering dangerously close to Animal House territory.
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Lou Lumenick, New York Post
A lame contemporary comedy about a radical Dallas commune operating out of a bookstore.
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Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
The Anarchist Cookbook bristles with wit and ideas.
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Dave Kehr, New York Times
The Anarchist Cookbook strains for a jazzy, Oliver Stone-ish look, but at its heart it is a placid and conventional moral tale about the dangers of wandering too far off the pathway.
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Cast
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Devon Gummersall
as Puck
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Dylan Bruno
as Johnny Black
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Darryl Cox
as Mr. Gold
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John Savage
as Johnny Red
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Justin Howard
as Davy Crockett
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Cliff Stephens
as Officer Roger
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Johnny Whitworth
as Sweeney
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Gina Philips
as Karla
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Steve Van Wormer
as Double D
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Katharine Towne
as Jody
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Sabine Singh
as Gin
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Richard Black
as Milo
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Scarlett McAlister
as Caroline
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Todd Terry
as Judge William Haversford
- Dylan Burno
