Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
In a life full of triumph and failure, "National Lampoon" co-founder Doug Kenney built a comedy empire, molding pop culture in the 1970s.
A Futile and Stupid Gesture is a serviceable biopic about National Lampoon co-founder Doug Kenney, elevated by Will Forte's committed performance and some clever meta-narrative touches that nod to the irreverent spirit of its subject. The plot covers familiar biopic territory—rise, excess, fall—without much structural innovation, though the self-aware framing device adds a light layer of distinction. Cinematography is functional and unremarkable, fitting the TV-movie production context. The ending, dealing with Kenney's tragic death, lands with modest emotional weight but doesn't transcend the genre's conventions. Novelty gets a slight bump for its playful postmodern asides but remains grounded in formula.