The Anarchist Cookbook (2002)

39% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
57% of users liked it
(4,225 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

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 41 min.
Directed By: Jordan Susman
Written By: Jordan Susman
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 1, 2002 Wide
On DVD: Aug 3, 2004
Studio: Innovation Film Group

Critic Reviews

Katherine Leal Unmuth, Dallas Morning News
This movie is sharp. It makes you think.
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.
Lou Lumenick, New York Post
A lame contemporary comedy about a radical Dallas commune operating out of a bookstore.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
The Anarchist Cookbook bristles with wit and ideas.
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.
Mike Miller, Village Voice
Because it never develops its characters beyond types, it comes off as flat and forced throughout.
Jean-François Vandeuren, Panorama
Jordan Susman a su transformer idéologies humanistes et mouvements activistes en une vulgaire parodie de leur propre silouhette
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
Offers not feast but famine...at its core Susman's film, despite its subject, is utterly conventional and as eager to please as a puppy dog.
Ken Fox, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Stylistically inventive and really well acted.
, E! Online
You'll feel burnt by this one.
Brent Simon, Entertainment Today
Think of it as Fight Club Lite; the film may not fully explain Generation-Next ennui but it does have is a winning immediacy and agreeableness -- and Gummersall, who... delivers a crisp performance.
Scott Foundas, L.A. Weekly
It's so devoid of a personal imprint that either Susman doesn't have very clearly formed opinions himself or he isn't much good at getting them across to the audience.
, Empire Magazine
There's a good film waiting to be made on this subject. This isn't it.
Jeff Schwager, Boxoffice Magazine
he film aims to be thought-provoking and funny, but this reviewer only laughed twice, and was only provoked into one thought: How do you go from The Deer Hunter to this?
Pete Vonder Haar, Film Threat
Susman has put together a well-crafted, witty commentary on corporate culture and the deals all of us make with ourselves to come to terms with modern existence.
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews
Whatever your politics, you'll find the film funny.