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Review: Looking Back at Freddy Got Fingered (2001)

Freddy Got Fingered (2001)

Yes, I know this is a ridiculous movie. I watched it with a friend recently after having not seen it for probably fifteen or so years. I still remembered some of the in-famous scenes - the deer, the baby, sausages, etc... - and yes, they are as insane now as they were then. Although the film is utterly manic, thanks mainly due to Tom Green's completely unhinged performance, it still does have quite funny parts.

What I find most interesting about this film though is based on a Vice interview Green had about the film recently. To note, Green also directed and wrote the film. In the interview, Green states that, as with many films nowadays, Freddy got completely cut-up prior to its release. As a result, a number of plotlines and characters integral to the film were excised completely or left in pieces leading to a number of nonsensical scenes. True, in other cases, he states that some of the gross-out moments were simply shortened. However, Green is adamant that there was a version of the film that was much better than the one the world received and, for the most part, hurriedly rejected. 

No, the film is not one of the best. It is entertaining though. More than anything, this film makes me wish that Tom Green had another true chance at film making with the resources he was given for Freddy Got Fingered. I think this time around he really could make something special (...and probably disgusting again).

A friend pointed me to a quote by Pauline Kael that rings that seems apt for this film: "Movies are so rarely great art that if we cannot appreciate great trash we have very little reason to be interested in them."



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