A Bunch of Amateurs

A Bunch of Amateurs is a 2008 British comedy film directed by Andy Cadiff, and stars Burt Reynolds, Derek Jacobi, Alistair Petrie and Samantha Bond.[1] In November 2008, the premiere in Leicester Square was attended by Elizabeth II.[2] The screenplay was written by Nick Newman, John Ross, Ian Hislop and Jonathan Gershfield.

A Bunch of Amateurs
British Film Poster
Directed byAndy Cadiff
Written byNick Newman
John Ross
Ian Hislop
Jonathan Gershfield
StarringBurt Reynolds
Imelda Staunton
Derek Jacobi
Samantha Bond
CinematographyAshley Rowe
Edited byMark Thornton
Music byChristian Henson
Release date
19 December 2008 (2008-12-19)
Running time
96 minutes
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish

Plot

A washed-up Hollywood star is flown to England to play the title role in King Lear at "Stratford" believing he will be appearing onstage at the legendary RST in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Instead he finds he has signed on with the "Stratford Players" in the Suffolk village of Stratford St John. He goes to the United Kingdom with his career deteriorating and having problems with his daughter who is an aspiring actress on the fringes of the New York theatre. The local villagers are somewhat of a motley crew and are naturally delighted to have such an - albeit unsuccessful - star playing with them. Reynolds plays a typically selfish American with no time for manners, and displays an appalling lack of class, considering himself too big for this lowly setting. The transition to humble actor, happy to play with the British actors takes some time, but eventually he is reconciled with his estranged daughter and realises that he is no better, in terms of talent and intelligence, than his amateur colleagues.

Cast

Release

The film had its UK premiere at the Royal Film Performance, an event held in aid of the Film & TV Charity, on November 17, 2008, at the ODEON Leicester Square. The event was attended by Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh.[3] The film chosen for the event was originally supposed to be Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, but it was changed when the release date was pushed back.[4]

Reception

The film was panned by critics, with criticism mostly focusing on the film's stale humour and Burt Reynolds's performance.

References
  1. "A Bunch Of Amateurs". The Guardian. 7 March 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  2. "Queen spends night with Amateurs". BBC News. 18 November 2008. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  3. "Premiere Report: A Bunch Of Amateurs". Empire. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  4. Variety Staff (8 October 2008). "'Amateurs' for Royal Performance". Variety. Retrieved 16 June 2022.


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