Bart Got A Room Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES PLOT SUMMARY
While Danny's father and mother independently search for love, Danny is on his own desperate quest to find a prom date. Danny's search becomes progressively more pathetic once he and his family learn that Bart, the school's biggest dweeb, not only secured a date for the prom, but got a hotel room as well.
| William H. Macy | Ernie Stein |
| Cheryl Hines | Beth Stein |
| Steven Kaplan | Danny Stein |
| Alia Shawkat | Camille |
| Chad Jamian Williams | Bart Beeber |
| Mike Benitez | Chauffeur |
| Marshall B. Gage | Mr. Carr |
| Sam E. Goldberg | Ice Cream Customer |
| Brandon Hardesty | Craig |
| Michael Mantell | Dr. Goodson |
| Jon Polito | Bob |
| Brett Weiss | Young Bart |
| Lynna Baculo | Prom Date |
| Ashley Benson | Alice |
| Estefania Crespo | Makeout kissing Student |
| Brian Hecker |
8.10 out of 10 (189 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Attractive, in a quirky sort of way.
posted on 01 Mar 2009I laughed hard, several times throughout this festival film, and I can really saw that I'd like to show this movie to everyone that I know.Brian Hecker attended the screening and was kind enough to answer a couple of my questions, with the other audience members. He was warm and obviously enjoying his films equally warm reception by the crowd. You can see very much of himself is reflected in the authoring of this film.Danny's father could not have been anyone other than William H. Macy. Macy delivered a stellar performance, complete with his special brand of demented enthusiasm. Kaplan as well, has earned good grades in my book with his firmly believable delivery of Danny's desperation, and obsessive behaviour.I'll give this a ten, because nine doesn't feel right.
What was promising "breath of fresh air" in its genre at start, turned out to be "just another teen movie"
posted on 22 Jan 2009'Bart Got a Room', how does this title sound to you? To me it sounds like some lame, cheesy-to-the-bone teen flick that just has one thing going for it and that's bunch of teenage girls and some teenage boys that will waste their money on watching it. Well everything wasn't as it seemed that's for sure...Movie starts off surprisingly interesting, contagiously funny and entertaining, every scene was good, no sequences wasted for useless talk or anything like that. Plot is quite usual for teen flicks but it just had something good going for it, something was unique and it felt very right to me. Characters are pretty much likable, and those who aren't on first sight turn out to be righteously likable later on in the movie and that can also work in a teen flick. Acting is surprisingly above the level of usual acting in a teen flick, although cast is very unknown (except for maybe one face, W.H. Macy). So more than half-way through this movie kept its edge and entertainment but then things started to go a pretty boring and predictable way. It was just like i was watching yet another teen movie (not even a comedy, more like teen drama with prom and everything blah blah) and the feeling was very disappointing. But the very end of the movie is fairly pleasing and satisfying which was a life-saver for this film that started running away in a wrong direction under big speed. So, although this movie deserves a 7/10 rating by rational explanation and summarizing, i'm still giving it 6/10, because seriously in these kind of movies second part is more important, it makes a bigger impression on the viewers than the first, still i would say that this movie is definitely WORTH WATCHING.
Can the whole be LESS than the sum of the parts?
posted on 02 Jan 2009Looking back at this film, there are quite a number of scenes that seem as if they, and the movie that they are in, should be superb. Actually watching the scenes, and watching the film as a whole however, the effect is rather lackluster. Objectively, I can't say that the movie is a bad one, and some people will probably love, it, but for many or most people, I suspect that the film will not live up to its potential. Its difficult to say exactly why, but I can nominate three potential reasons.1.Comparative lack of comedic follow-through. In many comedic scenes in film, you can see an embarrassing situation emerging a few seconds or minutes before the specific situation ends. Rather than playing each scene through from beginning to bitter end, 'Bart Got A Room" tends to lay out the scene, and clip off the last uncomfortable moments. This device does not render the scenes unfunny, and it could make the film a bit more subtle. "Bart Got A Room" is not the most exciting or unpredictable film however, and the closely trimmed scene endings make the movie more boring.2.A vast proportion of the world's humor comes from people and the world as a whole not living up to expectations. Much humor represents an idealistic implicit criticism of these failures and imperfections.The creators of this film seem to embrace, rather than criticize imperfection however, particularly in the ending, and not so much by defiantly embracing an alternate standard of perfection, but by saying that "hey, settling for ______ is okay." Obviously the difference between different sorts of acceptance (of imperfection) are subtle, but but this film seems to be more "settle for it" than usual, and the implicit lack of idealism leads to less ideal-driven humorous criticism.3.This film has a very clear Florida setting and cultural identity, and ordinarily this would be a strict virtue, adding a bit of realism instead of pretending to a placeless universality. Unfortunately, the film is so subtle/dull overall, that the setting and specific characterization overwhelms the overall story and other elements to a degree. Most likely the filmmakers should have made the story and characters a bit more interesting, rather than make the background less interesting, but something should have been done.
Woody Allen for Generation Y
posted on 27 Dec 2008A great teen comedy that invokes the best films of John Hughes from the 80's, combined with the neuroses of Woody Allen. The Florida setting is something new and fresh and adds a really nice element to the entire film. William H Macy is hilarious, much funnier than he gets to be in other movies. The lead kid is hysterical, a combination of Woody Allen, Larry David, and Jerry Seinfeld all rolled into one. And the hilarious Cheryl Hines from Curb Your Enthusiasm is also in it, playing the lead kid's mom. Not that I'm a prude, because I love Judd Apatow humor just as much as the next guy, but it's nice to see a movie that can be funny without having to be dirty in order to do it. For anyone who ever had to deal with the hell that is prom night, you don't want to miss this!!!!!!!!!
A True Must See
posted on 09 Nov 2008The plot is tender, heartwarming, funny as can be, and has an ending that will surprise and please. This is a comedy of coming of age and struggles with life that is new, fresh and innovative. While looking at timeless issues, it does all this without a trite moment! Although it's hard to laugh and cry at the same time, this movie makes you do it.The acting is superb, especially Steven Kaplan's. His portrayal of the teenager struggling with desire vs. true feelings will remind every adult of their own teen age struggles, and be will be familiar to every teenager.Kaplan's portrayal of Danny is Truly Brilliant--his ability to deadpan the funniest scenes brought true belly laughs from the audience at the premiere showing. See him now so you can tell everyone in a few years that you saw his debut performance. This is an actor whose name will be familiar to all of us in just a few short years.
Truly a gem of a film!
posted on 22 Oct 2008This is far and away one of the most enjoyable festival films I have ever seen! Maybe it was the self-deprecating humour to which we can all relate; perhaps it was William H. Macy's abundantly curly hair. I really can't be sure, but I can tell you that you will not regret taking the time to see this film! The screenplay is top notch, every second of every scene is perfectly executed and the laughs are never forced. Brian Hecker captures the heart and soul of those painful high school years and spreads them across the screen like a mother spreads those embarrassing naked baby photos in front of the new girlfriend. The acting is superb as well, Steven Kaplan is the epitome of the high school dweeb; each agonizing second of the prom date pressure is reflected in his expressive eyes. William H. Macy gives a phenomenal performance as the father who's trying to get his mojo back. A beautiful balance of deadpan delivery and delight in his son's social life - or his idealistic interpretation thereof - his performance gives a solid base on which to build this rollicking romp down memory lane. And yet, the highlight by far of this little gem of a film is it's kitschy soundtrack. It quite literally reaches out, grabs the viewer by the ears, and demands that the feet begin to tap and the head to bob. The classics of big band, swing, and even a little jazz inspire one to reminisce of the days of that spinster aunt pinching the cheek, or that grandmother tweaking the nose. It sets the tone, at least for people of a certain age, of the post-pubescent angst that we all suffered during the high school years and pastes a happy smile to it that doesn't quite hide the insecurity.Bart Got a Room is a film that should not be missed. Because if Bart can do it, you can too. Even if it costs you $600+, a little self-respect, and most of your dignity. These moments only happen once, so throw caution to the wind, grab life by the short hairs and enjoy the ride!
Underrated teen comedy
posted on 08 Oct 2008This is one of those small comedy gems that has a very cool and unique style to it...and is just an overall funny movie -- about this family of losers who are all looking for dates. I laughed throughout the movie...and I was also surprised to be moved by the relationships as well. It's played pretty real for a teen comedy and I was very surprised by that. The movie shows a pathetic side of Miami Beach and it's a unique environment (with old people everywhere) for a movie about a teenager looking for a prom date. It's an interesting twist on the genre -- and I think it works in a very clever and unique way. The music is also very unique for this type of movie. The movie starts out with the protagonist playing the trumpet in his high school jazz band at the beach to a bunch of old people and it sets this fun, quirky tone for the rest of the movie. I also really liked the overall look of the film -- there were a lot of bright colors and the locations looked like places I haven't seen before. It didn't feel generic. The cast in particular is top notch. William H. Macy is freaking' hilarious as the teen's dad and the supporting cast is also very funny. Macy can do no wrong in my mind. Jennifer Tilly was funny and I was surprised to see her. I think the main kid is a great actor and I think he's going places. When we finally meet Bart, it's definitely worth the wait. I saw this movie in NY and the audience really responded to it. I told everyone I know to see it but it came and went in limited release. I am surprised there wasn't more hype around this film. I would definitely recommend this movie.
Most of the characters are pretty bland, but Macy manages to shine
posted on 21 Aug 2008If Bart got a hotel room, then Danny should have one too. Danny is your typical unpopular high school senior and he's searching for a prom date. The bar has been set by not-seen-'til-the-end Bart, the class nerd, with the booking of hotel rooms, limousines, etc. Cute and studious Camille (played by Alia Shawkat from Arrested Development, a comedy I adore) has been friends with Danny for a long time and the easy thing for them to do would be to attend prom together, but that doesn't happen of course. I became frustrated with Danny's attempts to get other girls to be his date, but I also related to him – as easy as Camille would be to fall back on, at his age I'd likely want something new (perhaps even sexier) too. This is what teenagers do.William Macy, who plays Danny's father, is one of the few bright spots. Most of the characters are pretty bland, but Macy manages to shine despite the surroundings. I really don't like the haircut he has there, but that's part of the cheap role I guess. His best moments are when he drops everything to help find a date for his son as the prom draws near. He even leaves a sexually-heated date of his own behind! Bart Got A Room is your typical high school movie, but not exactly A-list. It has its moments (my personal favorite takes place in the ice cream shop) but this type of movie has been done before, and better too.
The smartest, freshest, and funniest teen comedy since Juno, maybe even better
posted on 18 Jun 2008It's always nice to see an unknown actor do something great. This is one of the many reasons I thoroughly enjoy the comedy, Bart Got A Room. An unknown actor, Steven Kaplan is great in this hilarious comedy as Danny, the 2nd biggest loser in school struggling to find a date for the prom. When the 1st bigger loser in school, Bart gets a date and a hotel room for prom, Danny feels it is his duty to automatically get a date for the prom. As his divorced dad, Ernie, William H. Macy steals the show. He certainly doesn't get all the big laughs, but he gets about 85% of them. Cheryl Hines is also quite good as Danny's divorced mom, Beth. The movie is a smart, refreshing, hysterical, and downright feel-good teen comedy. The movie is refreshing as it does not have the regular predictable teen romance, and the movie is sweet instead of aggressive like most teen comedies. I really like the chemistry between Danny and his parents, and between him and his friends. I loved how the movie is not a predictable romance but the opposite- a boy trying to find romance. Also, the whole cast is excellent, and it gives some great young actors a chance to show their talent. This is a great movie that I think you should definitely go see right away.
Uh, what?
posted on 29 May 2008I never in my life thought 78 minutes could go by so slowly. Twenty minutes in to this film I wanted it to end. Poorly developed characters that were all forgettable and a very predictable storyline leave this one with a very bad taste in my mouth. Everything was clichéd and had been done before. To dub this as "predicatble" is a vast understatement. Having never seen this film before I still knew what was going to happen scene for scene. I really like William H. Macy too. It's almost like he was hard up for some cash and told himself that no matter what the movie was, he was going to star in it. Unfortunately for us, this piece of trash script landed on his doorstep. Shame on you Mr. Macy. I want my 78 minutes back so I can go spend it on watching grass grow. That's at least worth a two star rating. Steer clear of this one folks.
Just a silly and somewhat clever and funny high school prom story.
posted on 13 May 2008This movie is a lot tamer than such movies as "American Pie" where all the high school kids want to do is get laid before the end of the school year. And that is a good thing for this movie.The characters are for the most part innocent high schoolers who talk bigger than they plan to act. It revolves around Steven Kaplan as Danny Stein, of a Hollywood Florida Jewish family. Danny wants to get a "hot" date for prom but he really isn't a ladies man. When he decides that pretty sophomore cheerleader Alice, who he gives rides home from school, would fit his ideal, he messes up that conversation so badly that she looks at him as a pervert.The title of the movie comes from a sort of running joke, as the boys and their parents discuss whether they should also get a room at the hotel where the prom is. Every time someone mentions that "Bart Got a Room", then it settles the issue, because Bart Beeber is perhaps the most geeky guy in their class. We don't really ever need to meet Bart, but we do in a late scene.William H. Macy is in his usual fine form as the dad, Ernie Stein, and wearing a wig for a full head of curly hair. Cheryl Hines is good as the divorced wife and mom, Beth Stein.Danny has a best friend from early childhood, Alia Shawkat as Camille. Since Danny was NOT in a relationship, and neither was Camille, it would have made sense for them to go to prom together. In fact she was counting on it and was very disappointed when Danny rebuffed her suggestion. But much of the last half of the movie plays on their eventual patching up of their friendship.Not a very deep movie, but relatively clean as teen prom movies go and for the most part a good 80 minutes of entertainment.
Much ado about nothing
posted on 09 May 2008When the people behind "Bart Got A Room" call it a film about a guy looking for a date for the prom, they mean just that. There's no emotional subtext whatsoever to this search. Why is it so important to him, and why should we care? Danny is such a blank slate, and the writing doesn't offer many insights into who he is as a person. Compare Danny in your mind with more interesting movie teenagers, like Max from "Rushmore" or Harold from "Harold and Maude," and you'll see what I mean. And the actor playing Danny does little to illuminate that he has any kind of inner life at all.Danny's parents are equally bland and uninteresting. The only truly insightful moment occurs when one of Danny's friends discussing going to the zoo with his mother. (The mother, a divorced woman, hates going to the zoo but is desperately trying to please her new boyfriend.) What is the film even about? Is it about the close friendship between Danny and Camille? But even after the hot girl turns him down, he decides to keep shopping around, rather than turn to Camille, which she herself acknowledges. The film doesn't provide any real scenes to establish the bond they share. (Sorry. Showing old photos of them as children and having narration isn't enough.) I thought the film might be about a boy choosing not to cross over the threshold from childhood to adulthood. Children like to have fun, play with their friends and bond with their parents. Young adults want to carve our their own identities, be independent, distance themselves from their parents and explore their sexuality. So which side does Danny ultimately fall down on – youth or maturity? The film (SPOILERS!) explains at the end that he chose to spend his prom night not with his peers but with his parents and his platonic friend. It further explains that the hotel room, that presumed symbol of sexual maturity, was used instead to play Boggle, a children's game, with his parents and platonic childhood friend.But then, that youth vs. maturity interpretation doesn't really work either. So many different directions the film could have gone in, and yet, in the end, the filmmakers never really chose a path.
If Tilly would go for Macy, then I guess, Bart could get a room
posted on 03 May 2008I started off disliking 'Bart Got a Room' due to its painfully obvious set up, clichés and predictable storyline where you knew where this was going from the get-go. For the most part, it unfolded to where you thought so with just a hint of surprises. The idea behind the film, and hence the title, involves high schoolers scrambling to get a date and a "room" for prom night, since *Bart* got a room. Sure, when Bart's revealed in the room, they overshoot his nerd-factor, but the movie's clearly mean-spirited from all angles on a person that's different from the "norm." Again, they did dress up Bart as the stereotypical arrogant "Napoleon Dynamite," but it was a pretty harsh reality the parents were teaching their kids to be judgmental. Some segments were funny, I'll admit, but those few and far between scenes involved Macy (namely the woman running for her life and the older female with a housewarming gift.) And it was touching how down-on-his-own-bad-luck divorced father Macy would give up everything, including a date with poker-great Tilly, to aid his son's quest for a date. 'Bart' was a sweet, innocent movie (other than few scenes knocking down different people) and you could do worse, but there are far better high school comedies. Such as 'Election,' 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off,' and 'Juno.' You have to give kudos to the lead, Kaplan for trying to carry the movie, but not so much for the supporting case, like the overly clichéd "heavy-set" buddy, the pretty blonde cheerleader and the plain-Jane BFF that, shocking, should be his first pick for the prom. We've seen this plot dozens of times over, and one of my favorites was 'Some Kind of Wonderful.' Ironically, director Hecker, did seem to attempt (unsuccessfully) the heart of most Hughes movies.
A very enjoyable teen comedy
posted on 15 Jun 2009I saw this at the Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuck, Michigan.Bart Got a Room is a funny and clever film starring Steven Kaplan as Danny Stein, a senior in high school who isn't sure what to do about the Senior Prom. His best friend Camille who he's known for many years (Alia Shawkat) seems like the obvious choice, but after another friend mentions that everyone that's going to prom has gotten a hotel room for the big night, Danny realizes he needs someone other than his "best friend" to take back to a hotel room.This film is very well made an well written. Kaplan is a natural actor, he does a wonderful job playing Danny, he's like a teenage Woody Allen, having trouble finding someone to go out on a date with and not knowing how to talk to women. And Cheryl Hines and William H Macy are also perfect as Danny's separated parents. Macy is a delight having many of the big laughs in the film, which I'm sure is increased by his hilarious hair. John Polito is great as well playing Cheryl's new love interest. And there's also a funny cameo near the end of the film.Writer/Director Brian Hecker made a great teen comedy. The audience at the screening loved it, applauding many times throughout. Seek this one out, it's a very entertaining film that's sure to please. See it then spread the word.Oh, and be sure to stay for the end credits.