And Now A Word From Our Sponsor

I remember seeing Being There when I was in high school.  I think that was one of the first times I began to understand television and advertising, and its effect on us.  Now I work in communications and advertising and write in my spare time so when I got the chance to review this movie I jumped at it thinking it would be up my alley.  I love Parker Posey and Bruce Greenwood and, And Now A Word From Our Sponsor has that going for it but I didn’t know until I watched it that I was not for sale today.

Synopsis Time

It’s one joke, and it’s never very funny. The hero of the movie is a former ad executive who wakes up one day and is only able to communicate through popular slogans.  He was brilliant and successful, but has had an unexplained break from reality. As he awaits a spot in a long-term treatment facility, Posey storms into his life. The head of charity functions for the hospital; she has once met Greenwood and is a big fan. Improbably, she agrees to house him for a few days despite the resistance of her surly daughter. Meanwhile, Greenwood’s former agency is looking to oust him and his rival (Callum Blue) wants to attain irrevocable control of the company.

There is an interesting idea behind “And Now A Word From Our Sponsor” that really never accomplishes its true potential. The movie might have been a criticism about the cruelty of the advertising arena. Or it might have been a social critique about a world in which communication has been supplanted by media. It never sinks its teeth into either target very effectively, instead shooting to be an amiable relationship piece.

The most amazing part of this film is Greenwood’s performance. 

This film could have been a complete disaster but he pulls it out of the toilet and makes it an easily watchable but ultimately pointless bore of a movie.  Hey film geeks – this is a performance that would have been fumbled by just about anyone but not Mr. Greenwood because he is great in everything.

Thankfully, the film is not much longer than a commercial break so I could get through it.  The film never evolves into the satire that it should have been and just remains cute for an about 85 minute runtime.  I doubt in the coming months that I will even remember this feature.

Ratings are based on a 5-star scale

Overall: 2 out of 5

Review by Bro “B” – Ben

We received a copy of this blu-ray for our review. All opinions are our own

 And Now a Word From Our Sponsor is available on Amazon.com.