Seth_Rogue_One
I wasn't sure whether or not to give this one a go considering the current low rating (which was 4.4 when I wrote this review) but I must say I'm glad I did.It's not the most amazing movie of all time or anything but it kept me entertained throughout it's running-time.It feels like it was heavily inspired by the TV-series 'Modern Family' and Christopher Guest's filmography with a fake documentary approach having the characters talk straight to the camera occasionally about their lives and the other characters etc.If you want to get technical some angles could simply not have been captured the way they were in the movie by a documentary-crew, with for instance multiple- angle close ups of characters sitting opposed to each other at a table but no camera-man in sight in any of the shots, but it doesn't take you out of the movie or anything.As far as the movie goes it had a lot of funny moments with a stellar cast (good to see Chris Klein again) and even though the plot is hard to describe as it's not really a plot-based movie but merely about some odd characters with hopes of becoming successful writers (some odder than others) it does entertain and that's all I wanted from the movie.
ksmmike
I saw the movie before reading the reviews. I'm not sure if I saw the same move as some who reviewed it here. Yes, it's over the top humor. Yes, it's too predictable. Yes, the characters are over done and stereotypes. All that is true. However, for me, there is so much truth in the humor, none of the other things matter. The acting was excellent, some of the lines are classic. If you are in a writers group like I am, or have been published, you cant help but laugh out loud if you have any humor at all. I will say being it was an indie film yet take such hard swipes at self publishing was a bit odd, but that would be a minor point. I loved this movie.
Steve Johnson
Having been in several small writers groups in different Nevada and California locations I found it true to life in that a non-writer controls the group. The one problem I had with the film was the screenwriters identifying a Vanity Press indicating Roaring Lion as a Print-On=Demand. Nothing could be farther from the truth. I have found POD to be quite rewarding and not nearly as expensive as depicted in the film. I do believe that all three writers landed publishing contracts not because of what was written, but who they knew. I am sure that is the way it works in Hollywood and I understand it working in the print world as well.There were some chuckles, but as I found it too true to life in the writers group segments, I couldn't give it higher than 4 stars. For someone who has never experienced the writers groups BS they may find it extremely funny.Seal A retired porn star fights political corruption, intrigue and murder in... Not Much of a Crime - 2013 ABNA Quarter Finalist http://www.stevenwjohnson.com
Susan Amerikaner
This is one of those little gems of a movie that belongs on any writer's list. At one time or another, each of these characters has been me. (I was cute and young and sexy once...maybe not as cute as Kaley Cuoco or as sexy as Dennis Farina, but still...) "Authors" swipes at issues that most writers face. Dennis Farina is simply wonderful, and the film makes me miss this fine actor enormously. "Authors" should be required watching in all creative writing classes, especially for young and/or beginning writers. With humor, wit and poignancy, writer Congalton spotlights feelings that are ripe for deeper discussion, such as writers' block, insecurity, envy, and the unanswerable question: what makes a writer a writer? Success? Persistence? Work? A more accessible movie than Kaufman's fierce "Adaptation," this movie has less...what are they called again? (Oh, right: metaphors!) Still the film made me laugh and cry. To me, Teri Polo gives the most visceral performance. The "rich wife" thing was often funny, but Polo really shines in a solo scene that occurs right after she explodes at Hannah outside a bookstore, with the group. Home alone, sitting with vodka, the slightly stewed and slightly remorseful Colette (Polo) tries to behave better by referring to Hannah (Cuoco) as a "good girl" -- but then her raw feelings flare, and Colette rages at how unfair life is. I have been there, Colette. I salute you. You want an excuse NOT to write this afternoon? watch "Authors Anonymous."
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