The Talent Given Us (2004)
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59% of critics liked it
(49 reviews) -
40% of users liked it
(104 ratings)
Fact and fiction begin to blur in this comedy drama in which a filmmaker casts his parents, his siblings, and himself in a story loosely adapted from their own lives and personalities. Judy and Allen Wagner (played by Judy Wagner and Allen Wagner) are an elderly couple living in New York City who… More Fact and fiction begin to blur in this comedy drama in which a filmmaker casts his parents, his siblings, and himself in a story loosely adapted from their own lives and personalities. Judy and Allen Wagner (played by Judy Wagner and Allen Wagner) are an elderly couple living in New York City who haven't seen their son, Andrew (Andrew Wagner), in some time. Deciding it's time they paid him a visit, Judy and Allen pack up their van and head out to Los Angeles, where Andrew is trying to make a name for himself as a director and screenwriter. Along the way, Judy and Allen decide to bring their daughters, Maggie (Maggie Wagner) and Emily (Emily Wagner), and the camera plays "fly on the wall" as Judy and Allen openly ponder the successes and failings of their children while they work on crossword puzzles, stop for meals, engage in small talk, and deal with the presence of fellow traveler Bumby (Judy Dixon). The first feature from Andrew Wagner, The Talent Given Us was awarded the Grand Jury Prize at the 2004 CineVegas Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Andrew Wagner
- Written By
- Andrew Wagner
- Genres
- Comedy
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jun 11, 2004 Wide
- On DVD
- Mar 7, 2006
Critic Reviews
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Damon Smith, Time Out New York
Faux documentary, home movie or unexpurgated family therapy? The Talent Given Us, a funny, surprising ride with a mercurial New York clan, is all three.
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Shauna Lyon, New Yorker
The notion that there is no escape from one's family is elevated-and ameliorated-by the inkling that the Wagners' story is, in fact, real.
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Tom Long, Detroit News
Ultimately, the movie isn't as strong as the idea behind the movie, or the people inside that idea.
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Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
What initially seems hard to watch, even excruciating at times, becomes hard not to, a fascinating fiction that seems to be more real than just about any actual documentary you can imagine.
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Jessica Reaves, Chicago Tribune
If you enjoy HBO's cult hit Curb Your Enthusiasm, you're almost guaranteed to enjoy this bawdy, heartbreaking, deeply discomfiting mockumentary.
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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Judy Wagner
as Judy
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Allen Wagner
as Allen
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Emily Wagner
as Emily
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Maggie Wagner
as Maggie
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Judy Dixon
as Bumby
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Billy Wirth
as Billy
- Andrew Wagner
- Tom Hines
