137 reviews
I get it, but I didn't like it.
"Fool's Paradise" tries to be funny and entertaining. It tries. Charlie Day wrote & directed an homage to Buster Keaton and the Peter Sellers film "Being There," but he didn't deliver an entertaining film. It is meant to be a satire of who we make celebrities and how quickly our opinions can change. By the end, though, I just didn't care.
I love Charlie Day and thought he was perfectly cast to be the lead. His eyes portrayed his naivety perfectly, but he lacked the physical comedy and over expression that would have made this more entertaining.
What he needed was help. He needed a partner to help with both writing and directing duties. Someone to say "that's not funny" or "this scene makes no sense and needs a rewrite." I get what he was trying to accomplish and I hope it leads to more attempts by Charlie Day. But I hope the next attempts are better.
I love Charlie Day and thought he was perfectly cast to be the lead. His eyes portrayed his naivety perfectly, but he lacked the physical comedy and over expression that would have made this more entertaining.
What he needed was help. He needed a partner to help with both writing and directing duties. Someone to say "that's not funny" or "this scene makes no sense and needs a rewrite." I get what he was trying to accomplish and I hope it leads to more attempts by Charlie Day. But I hope the next attempts are better.
- brettkdobbs
- Nov 18, 2023
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Gets old fast
- oldmovies1185
- May 12, 2023
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Enjoyable
For reference, I think It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is the funniest show ever made. And I think the character Charlie Kelly played by Charlie Day is one of the funniest characters in TV or movie history. I was ecstatic to see him have a chance to write, direct and star in a theatrically released movie with a great cast.
There's so much about Fool's Paradise I enjoyed. The premise is instantly funny. Charlie Day's performance had me cracking up. Many other parts had me full-volume laughing, especially when it relates to Adrien Brody's character. I loved seeing many of the Always Sunny cast members with random small roles.
There are a few things that, for me, prevent it from being great. The first half of the movie is infinitely funnier than the second half, which had almost no laughs from me. And while I enjoyed the humorous parts, the more serious parts and character moments didn't work for me.
But the biggest issue is that Ken Jeong, who is seemingly the lead of this movie, didn't make me laugh at all. I've found him fairly funny in most of his smaller roles. But it doesn't seem like he can carry a movie.
I still had a good time with Fool's Paradise. I hope it allows Charlie Day more opportunities to create comedy, especially in an age when comedy movies seem to be nearing extinction. I will watch anything he's in. (1 viewing, 5/11/2023)
There's so much about Fool's Paradise I enjoyed. The premise is instantly funny. Charlie Day's performance had me cracking up. Many other parts had me full-volume laughing, especially when it relates to Adrien Brody's character. I loved seeing many of the Always Sunny cast members with random small roles.
There are a few things that, for me, prevent it from being great. The first half of the movie is infinitely funnier than the second half, which had almost no laughs from me. And while I enjoyed the humorous parts, the more serious parts and character moments didn't work for me.
But the biggest issue is that Ken Jeong, who is seemingly the lead of this movie, didn't make me laugh at all. I've found him fairly funny in most of his smaller roles. But it doesn't seem like he can carry a movie.
I still had a good time with Fool's Paradise. I hope it allows Charlie Day more opportunities to create comedy, especially in an age when comedy movies seem to be nearing extinction. I will watch anything he's in. (1 viewing, 5/11/2023)
I've never wanted a movie to end, mid movie.
I'm a fan of Charlie Day and when I seen he had written and directed a film I was all in. All in until I saw the film. It's started okay at best and just got worse and worse as it progressed. I've never left a movie theater angry at a film before. I laughed about three times in a movie where Charlie Day is the main guy. It felt more like Charlie Kelly from sunny wrote and directed as opposed to Charlie Day himself. Not even as a deep message or parody can this pass for a good film. My opinion is that somewhere in this mess there was a good idea but a good idea doesn't equal good execution. Maybe next time big guy.
- sngreolbrtd1983
- May 15, 2023
- Permalink
why it's not funny
A mute John Doe (Charlie Day) is found in a mental institution with the capacity of a five year old. He is released into LA where he is picked up by a movie producer (Ray Liotta). The producer is tired of the star of his movie and intends to use our doppelganger John Doe as a stand-in to replace his star. Lenny (Ken Jeong) is a weasel "publicist" who mistakenly calls John Doe "Latte Pronto" due to the producer's coffee demands. Latte is on his way to becoming a big Hollywood star.
This is a fascinating movie. Someday, someone will dissect this movie to determine why it's not funny. The most obvious reason is that Charlie Day is playing a mute. He has one of the most comedic voices in the world today. People laugh just by the sound of it. It's like an NBA player saying he'll play while having his hands tied behind his back. Sometimes, actors like to go 180 opposite their strength to show that they have undiscovered depths. They go against their popular narrative. In this one, he's trying to do his version of The Tramp. The character construction is too sloppy. He is literally a blank. Instead of a living breathing character, he is a hole on the screen. There is nothing there.
His nothingness may be the point. The movie is satirizing Hollywood and its nothingness quality. In that, this is not breaking any new cinematic grounds. It is ridiculous without being funny. Ken Jeong's over the top character Lenny is almost there at first until he meets Latte. There is a puzzling hole with Latte that overwhelms any chance for humor. The movie just dies.
This is a fascinating movie. Someday, someone will dissect this movie to determine why it's not funny. The most obvious reason is that Charlie Day is playing a mute. He has one of the most comedic voices in the world today. People laugh just by the sound of it. It's like an NBA player saying he'll play while having his hands tied behind his back. Sometimes, actors like to go 180 opposite their strength to show that they have undiscovered depths. They go against their popular narrative. In this one, he's trying to do his version of The Tramp. The character construction is too sloppy. He is literally a blank. Instead of a living breathing character, he is a hole on the screen. There is nothing there.
His nothingness may be the point. The movie is satirizing Hollywood and its nothingness quality. In that, this is not breaking any new cinematic grounds. It is ridiculous without being funny. Ken Jeong's over the top character Lenny is almost there at first until he meets Latte. There is a puzzling hole with Latte that overwhelms any chance for humor. The movie just dies.
- SnoopyStyle
- Jul 23, 2023
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Just Not Funny
- stevendbeard
- May 13, 2023
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I love Charlie day but this was not it.
Just to be clear Charlie Day is among my favourite comedic actors ever, IASIP is a masterpiece. For that reason I had extremely high hopes for Fool' Paradise, however my rating of 7 is generous. Fool's paradise slightly misses the mark with concept, does not have enough laughs (most coming from Adrien Brody) and it felt clear that the ending was written years after the body of the script. Charlie Day was funny but not nearly expressive enough for a silent character, 90% of the time he was showing just confusion. This film was carried by an amazing cast who all delivered excellent performances and Charlie Day's direction which was smooth and shows clear potential. Overall it was a lacking script but I 1000% would watch another film written and directed by Charlie Day as there were obvious signs of potential.
- theocglover
- May 11, 2023
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not Being There
- ferguson-6
- May 11, 2023
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Critics ratings way too harsh
I wasn't going to rate or review this movie, but saw the current critic rating (very low at the time of this writing) and felt compelled to share my thoughts. This movie is not bad - it's not even a slow burn, although a little alternative (much like Day himself). The acting is great and very funny, the story is nice (with a sweet ending) and the spoof/satire of how Hollywood functions is enjoyable throughout. You probably won't love the movie, but you won't regret seeing it. My only complaint was the film seems a little lost when Common's character is introduced, but even then, it wasn't that bad.
- stephendhoffman
- May 11, 2023
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As a Charlie Day fan I was let down.
TLDR; This was day's decade (?) long passion project, it's easy to lose sight as the writer and director of anything over that much time.
I want to start of by saying that I am a huge fan of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, and I like Mr. Day in anything I've ever seen him in. Heck I even listen to the pod, which is why this was such a let down. On their podcast Day mentions that he used Ken (Chang from Community) in a new way, that he pushed him in takes to break the type casting. Yet wow shocker Chang plays Chang with the worst fake mustache I've ever seen in my life, and I'm from Guatemala. Dear God the premise was gold and all day had to do was get out of his own way. He mentioned having to reshoot over half the original, like is that not a hint that maybe this could have been a great short film or limited series? I know budgets and financing wasn't an issue, which is why this exists. Say what you will about Hollywood, but sometimes a project does need to die in post. The best part of the film for me was when my online "screener" (and no I wouldn't download a car if that's what you are implying) was interrupted by a gambling ad. Inspite of all that I don't have the heart to give it one star as it was still a good try.
FYI I couldn't finish this film. But I'm sure the ending will redeem it, oh yeah it won't.
I want to start of by saying that I am a huge fan of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia, and I like Mr. Day in anything I've ever seen him in. Heck I even listen to the pod, which is why this was such a let down. On their podcast Day mentions that he used Ken (Chang from Community) in a new way, that he pushed him in takes to break the type casting. Yet wow shocker Chang plays Chang with the worst fake mustache I've ever seen in my life, and I'm from Guatemala. Dear God the premise was gold and all day had to do was get out of his own way. He mentioned having to reshoot over half the original, like is that not a hint that maybe this could have been a great short film or limited series? I know budgets and financing wasn't an issue, which is why this exists. Say what you will about Hollywood, but sometimes a project does need to die in post. The best part of the film for me was when my online "screener" (and no I wouldn't download a car if that's what you are implying) was interrupted by a gambling ad. Inspite of all that I don't have the heart to give it one star as it was still a good try.
FYI I couldn't finish this film. But I'm sure the ending will redeem it, oh yeah it won't.
- JAREDARMANDOSOFOIFA42069
- May 16, 2023
- Permalink
Brilliant! Whats with the low rating??
A very generous 3/10
Just a total snooze fest. It's been said in other reviews, and I'm not normally one to pile on, but dead lord... what happened here? I like Charlie Day just fine, the rest of the cast is good, the plot is of course quite dumb which isn't always a bad thing in a comedy such as this one, but it's simply not funny... ever, at all. It's just like the world's worst episode of curb your enthusiasm or something where there's no script at all and we're all expected to find it funny because the actors were funny in other things we've already seen.
I am someone who sticks out bad movies - almost always - but I gave up and stopped watching a little more than halfway through. I just didn't care, wasn't laughing, and had better things to do.
Skip this one.
I am someone who sticks out bad movies - almost always - but I gave up and stopped watching a little more than halfway through. I just didn't care, wasn't laughing, and had better things to do.
Skip this one.
- savvypatachonica
- Nov 17, 2023
- Permalink
Charming film about LA
This movie felt like Charlie Day's love letter to Los Angeles, a display of both its beauty and its nonsense. The homage to Charlie Chaplin was wonderfully executed, and like many of Chaplin's films, the entire movie is about the main characters relationships to those around him.
I think not being anywhere near the sphere of Hollywood made this movie less impactful to me than it could have been, but there was a heart to it that you can't fake. I think that's what gravitated so many names to this film, and probably to Day himself. I was shocked to see the ratings as low as it was; it's no blockbuster but it is truly a beautiful film.
6/10, I found it quite charming!
I think not being anywhere near the sphere of Hollywood made this movie less impactful to me than it could have been, but there was a heart to it that you can't fake. I think that's what gravitated so many names to this film, and probably to Day himself. I was shocked to see the ratings as low as it was; it's no blockbuster but it is truly a beautiful film.
6/10, I found it quite charming!
- Valentino-alejandro
- Mar 17, 2024
- Permalink
Sadly Cringeworthy
Love Charlie Day. We had no set expectations and were looking forward to his Directorial Debut. This was not a film we could embrace. All the star power is wasted. We were the only people in the theater opening day hoping against all hope the Critics were wrong. What they say doesn't influence what we choose to see. This time they are spot on. Day's endearing attempt at portraying his character is the only mark it hits. That alone cannot make up for the lack of character depth by his supporting cast. Ken Joeng was more the star of the movie and that still didn't help. His relationship with Latte Pronto is the only semblance of story movement and resolution. At one point my husband asked "When does this movie end?" My reply? "Not even ten minutes after it started." It was that bad. It is with brutal honesty that we both chose to give it a 1. Fool's Paradise is Foolish.
- angelabillings
- May 13, 2023
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Odd comedy with an all star cast.
- TodaysHaul317
- Feb 12, 2024
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Its listed as Comedy?
Charlie Day.....what u been doin' for the last 4 years?
This film is hard to watch for all the wrong reasons. The slow pace and general unfunniness represent a missed opportunity of such an amazing cast. If Charlie D. Is identifying as Charlie C. These day, he just needs to stop it. If Day put this project on hold to deliver this past season of Philadelphia, he has really just lost his way, and needs to surround himself with some new/fresh talent. Day's recent work (the past 5 years) is formulaic, as usual, but without the charm of his characters as their younger selves. The world seems to be maturing around Day, who struggles increasingly to make audiences laugh.
- litterboxqueens
- Dec 9, 2023
- Permalink
They do not make them like this anymore.
First off, I must say; I adore Always Sunny, I get all the hate, nobody enjoys positivity and fun in todays world and in turn folks will dislike this flick. And by the reviews they do.
This flick felt like it was straight from my childhood, I grew up watching these types of movies, it has a 60s/70s/80s vibe of comedic filmmaking. It has a wholesomeness to it that is greatly missing in our society and humanity. Plenty of cameos from Sunny that fans will notice, the writing is fun, the directing is good, and it feels like something that is made with love in general. Shut your brain off, let the cast, but mostly Charlie Day entertain you.
This flick felt like it was straight from my childhood, I grew up watching these types of movies, it has a 60s/70s/80s vibe of comedic filmmaking. It has a wholesomeness to it that is greatly missing in our society and humanity. Plenty of cameos from Sunny that fans will notice, the writing is fun, the directing is good, and it feels like something that is made with love in general. Shut your brain off, let the cast, but mostly Charlie Day entertain you.
Love Charlie Day, but left much to be desired
I've probably watched Always Sunny through 10 times and love satirical film, but the pacing was rough. Movie started out great, and then seemed to drag heavily in the last half. Some of the bits just got old and somethings just got played out. Plus, the film just kind of ended and didn't feel resolved at all.
I really hope we get more like this, but a little more buttoned up on the editing. I realize it's hard to make an entire movie around someone who doesn't speak, but you might need to have people speak to each other more, rather than speaking to a wall the entire time. Charlie day puts his heart and soul into it, plus Jimmi Simpson is always great. It's just a rough viewing experience.
I really hope we get more like this, but a little more buttoned up on the editing. I realize it's hard to make an entire movie around someone who doesn't speak, but you might need to have people speak to each other more, rather than speaking to a wall the entire time. Charlie day puts his heart and soul into it, plus Jimmi Simpson is always great. It's just a rough viewing experience.
Fun Commentary on Hollywood
While some parts were a little confusing or poorly acted, I greatly enjoyed the premise and where it takes the main character Latte Pronto (Charlie Day). When you look at the events from their perspective, it shows how unpredictable and volatile Hollywood is. And the perspective of the other characters is less interested in who this mysterious character is, and rather how this new kid on the block can benefit them. No one even realizes that he doesn't say a word. I didn't love Ken Jeong's character and felt that their progression was unclear at times. Charlie Day, Common, Ray Liotta, Jason Sudeikis, and Adrien Brody all stood out in their performances.
- cameronotto
- May 11, 2023
- Permalink
A waste of good talent and great cameos.
This was like a very long, 98 minutes long and dragged out failed SNL sketch. I'm a fan of Charlie Day and he's a great comedian, but putting yourself in a funny film and choosing not to use your comedic trademark funny voice is what failed this film. And that's too bad, as it started out good, not laugh out loud good, but constant smiling and entertaining good. But you can only go so far on silent charm, and can only take so much satirical un-funny comedy. It was great to see the lovely Kate Beckinsale, and Jeong was his usual blast as well, and it was also great to see the late Ray Liotta doing his thing in what is probably the last film he made, but it's too bad this film was more of a flop than it was fun. The story was mostly long dragged out and incoherent nonsense that lacked any good comedy or sharp satire. It's a generous 4/10 for all the stars that I'm sure mostly donated their time for this mess.
- Top_Dawg_Critic
- Jun 2, 2023
- Permalink
If you get the joke, this is a great film!
Solid homage to Sellers and Chaplin
I think everyone's getting hung up on the fact that this movie isn't super funny.
It's not really supposed to be. It's gentle, slapstick comedy and it's solidly cute, but it isn't very obnoxious about it. If you like The Party or Being There, this movie is for you.
The star studded cast gives some of the clunky parts of the writing relief. Its representation is questionable and run time could be shortened by 10 minutes or so. But it's cute! It's fun and it's entertaining! Certainly doesn't merit the low scores it got.
This is a solid film worth checking out for some light laughs. Definitely doesn't deserve the hate that it's getting.
It's not really supposed to be. It's gentle, slapstick comedy and it's solidly cute, but it isn't very obnoxious about it. If you like The Party or Being There, this movie is for you.
The star studded cast gives some of the clunky parts of the writing relief. Its representation is questionable and run time could be shortened by 10 minutes or so. But it's cute! It's fun and it's entertaining! Certainly doesn't merit the low scores it got.
This is a solid film worth checking out for some light laughs. Definitely doesn't deserve the hate that it's getting.
Unbelievably bad
- mhope-91601
- May 12, 2023
- Permalink
Sadly disappointed
- lucyjohnstone0103
- Jun 5, 2023
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