The Greatest Movie Ever Sold
Director: Morgan Spurlock
Starring: Morgan Spurlock
Details: US/TBC TBC
In the intriguing set-up, Morgan begins shooting whilst asking numerous companies to fund the documentary. He sells in-movie advertising, will wear sponsored clothing, drink their beverages constantly on camera and even sell the above the title rights for a million dollars - all to fund a film he's making as takes these meetings. He even appears on Jimmy Kimmel, talking about the movie, saying the interview he's "doing right now" will end up in it too - much to Kimmel's amusement.
A huge part of what makes 'Greatest' enjoyable is Spurlock himself. He's an amiable presence on screen, but goes about his work similarly to ace British documentarian, Louis Theroux. You get the impression he's smarter than he lets on, but it's never talking down to the audience, and it works perfectly with the subject matter here. Product placement in movies is a confusing and fascinating world, and he takes us through the bones of it with humour and skill.
It does fall a little flat when it's no longer meetings with company execs and instead focuses on more what the film has become when as full blown corporate entity; which is more or less a sign that, like 'Where in the World' Spurlock wasn't sure how to end the production, or what the core message is. That said, it does fit into the tone of "I'm just figuring this stuff out now too" as the affable focus of proceedings.
Spurlock is a likeable and skilled documentarian tackling an engaging and interesting subject matter. This doesn't always work, but is still worth a look.
Review by Mike Sheridan
Your Comments
damienmcd
I never really paid much attention to product placement until I saw the episode of How I Met Your Mother with Mauri Povic walking around with an Xbox Kinect, which was being released the following week. It is something that goes unmentioned a lot of the time but this is pretty-much where movies are being funded. Madness!! Looking forward to seeing this :-)
Posted 11/10/2011 16:53:08
FilmBuff76
This is the movie that movie advertising people don't want you to see... Morgan Spurlock returns with another amusing documentary, this time exploring the soul-destroying world of product placement in movies. As if to illustrate his point, the entire film is funded by product placement including a few well-known brands and some not-so-well-known brands (at least not in Ireland). The title sponsor of the film is an odd-looking drink called Pom Wonderful (who drinks pomegranate juice like it was beer?). The film mostly focuses on Spurlock's attempts to get funding for his film and the hilarious results that ensue (one advertising group struggle to describe their product to him!). I would have liked to have seen more of how this all relates to Hollywood blockbusters (some well-known directors pop up briefly to discuss it, but more would have been nice). I've seen some pretty bad product placement recently. Source Code kept shoving the Dunkin Donuts logo in my face and 4.3.2.1. went to truly absurd lengths to advertise Pringles. Anyway, this smart doc will keep you wiser about what's being shoved in your face next time you go to a blockbuster.
Posted 14/10/2011 21:55:36
Tyler Durden
Very insightful, intrepid, and humorous documentary from Spurlock. Some of the segments do fall a little flat (the POM ad pitch), while the San Paulo ban on adverts, and TVs in US classrooms were certainly eye-opening. Gotta love his fascination with the weird Hair 'n' Mane product. On par with the excellent 'SuperSize Me' and far better than 'Where In The World...' And after typing all that, I need a cool, refreshing Diet-Coke.
Posted 16/10/2011 17:11:08
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