🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Jared Hess
- Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
- Release year: 2009
- Runtime (length): 1h 29min
- IMDb rating: 6.2/10 (38,463 votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 19%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A homeschooled kid writes a sci-fi story, a famous author steals it, and then a local filmmaker makes a terrible movie about it… gonads are somehow involved.
🍿 Gentlemen Broncos: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Benjamin’s Aspiring Author Journey
Benjamin, a home-schooled teenager, dreams of becoming a famous science fiction writer. He attends a writer’s convention, ‘Cletus Fest,’ hoping to gain inspiration and showcase his work. He carries with him his cherished novella, ‘Yeast Lords: The Bronco Years,’ a fantastical story filled with unique characters and bizarre scenarios. During the convention, Benjamin encounters Ronald Chevalier, a once-renowned science fiction author battling writer’s block. He also meets fellow aspiring creatives, Lonnie and Tabatha, who offer to adapt his story into a low-budget film. This sets in motion a series of events that test Benjamin’s creativity and integrity.

Plagiarism and Creative Theft
At the writer’s competition, Benjamin submits his ‘Yeast Lords’ manuscript. However, Ronald Chevalier, desperate to revive his career, plagiarizes Benjamin’s story, altering the character names but retaining the core plot and outlandish elements. He publishes it under a new title, ‘Brutus and Balzaak,’ passing it off as his own original work. Simultaneously, Lonnie and Tabatha begin their adaptation of ‘Yeast Lords,’ but their vision differs greatly from Benjamin’s, resulting in a campy, low-quality production. Benjamin finds himself caught between the theft of his work and its misguided adaptation, leading to frustration and a battle to protect his creative vision.

Confrontation and Vindication
Benjamin discovers Chevalier’s plagiarism upon seeing ‘Brutus and Balzaak’ in a bookstore. Enraged, he confronts Chevalier at a book signing, leading to a physical altercation and his subsequent arrest. However, Benjamin’s eccentric mother, Judith, reveals that she had registered all of his stories with the Writer’s Guild, providing proof of his copyright ownership. This revelation exposes Chevalier’s plagiarism, resulting in the destruction of his books and the restoration of Benjamin’s creative rights. Benjamin achieves a measure of success and uses it to support his mother’s fashion design aspirations. The film concludes with a blend of vindication and quirky humor, highlighting the importance of originality and artistic integrity.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Benjamin (Michael Angarano): A homeschooled, aspiring sci-fi writer whose original story is plagiarized.
- Chevalier (Jemaine Clement): A once-successful but now struggling fantasy novelist who steals Benjamin’s work.
- Dusty (Mike White): Benjamin’s eccentric ‘guardian angel’ with unusual hobbies and a peculiar interest in Judith.
- Judith (Jennifer Coolidge): Benjamin’s eccentric mother who aspires to be a fashion designer.
- Lonnie Donaho (Héctor Jiménez): An over-smiling and flamboyant aspiring filmmaker who makes a low budget version of Benjamin’s story.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Brutus: “Cyclops there, cyclops there, cyclops there, turrets, moon buggies. Oh my holy crap! Surveillance does. I hate those. This is ridiculous. That’s the most well-guarded yeast factory I’ve ever seen.” – Brutus, the character in Benjamin’s story, expresses his frustration while surveying an extremely fortified yeast factory.
- Ronald Chevalier: “You can add ‘anus’ to the end of any character name to make it special and exciting.” – Chevalier’s absurd advice on character naming during his writing workshop highlights his pretentious and unconventional approach.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $10,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $113,682
- Worldwide Gross: $118,492
💥 Gentlemen Broncos Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, I’ll admit, ‘Gentlemen Broncos’ is weird, like, REALLY weird. But that’s why I kinda love it! The whole movie is so bizarre and over-the-top, it’s almost like a fever dream. Sam Rockwell’s dual roles as Bronco and Brutus are hilarious, and Jemaine Clement is perfectly cast as the pretentious Ronald Chevalier. I can’t help but laugh every time he talks about ‘Broncanus.’ If you’re into quirky comedies that don’t take themselves seriously, give it a shot!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Jared Hess’s previous films like ‘Napoleon Dynamite'”
- “Viewers who appreciate quirky and absurd humor”
- “Sci-fi and fantasy enthusiasts who enjoy parodies of the genre”
- “Those who like independent and offbeat comedies”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Crude humor and bodily functions”
- “Mild sexual innuendo”
- “Some thematic elements that may not be suitable for younger viewers”
- “Occasional strong language”
Professional Reviews
- IndieWire: “While aiming for quirky charm, ‘Gentlemen Broncos’ mostly lands in awkward territory. The visual gags are bizarre but lack genuine wit, and the characters feel more like caricatures than people, making it a miss despite its ambition.
- Variety: “Jared Hess’s latest comedy is a mixed bag. While Jemaine Clement shines as the pretentious author, the film’s humor is too often juvenile and the plot meanders, making it hard to connect with the story or characters on an emotional level.
- The Hollywood Reporter: “‘Gentlemen Broncos’ struggles to recapture the quirky magic of ‘Napoleon Dynamite’. The humor feels forced, and the story-within-a-story concept becomes tiresome. While visually distinctive, the film lacks the heart and genuine laughs to make it a success.
Audience Reactions
The bizarre and surreal humor made this movie a cult classic for many viewers.: Fans love the film’s unique brand of oddball comedy and its send-up of science fiction tropes.
Jemaine Clement’s performance as Ronald Chevalier was a standout, with viewers praising his comedic timing and delivery.: Many viewers thought the performance of the actor was the greatest thing about this movie.
Overall Consensus: ‘Gentlemen Broncos’ is a polarizing film with an acquired taste; those who appreciate its offbeat humor and quirky characters tend to love it, while others find it too bizarre and juvenile.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The character of Chevalier is based on Utah-based science fiction and fantasy writer Dave Farland, who also writes under the name Dave Wolverton.”
- “Jared and Jerusha Hess, the creators, are known for their unique brand of quirky comedy, also seen in ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ and ‘Nacho Libre’.”
- “Filming took place in Salt Lake City, Utah, contributing to the film’s distinctive visual style and setting.”
🖥️ How to Watch Gentlemen Broncos?
As of October 2024, ‘Gentlemen Broncos’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. Check your preferred streaming service for availability, as it may also be included in subscription packages. Some physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) are available from online retailers such as Amazon.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Gentlemen Broncos, you might like these similar films:
- Napoleon Dynamite (2004): Shares the same director and quirky, offbeat humor with socially awkward characters in a small-town setting.
- Nacho Libre (2006): Directed by Jared Hess, it features a similar comedic style and eccentric characters dealing with outlandish situations.
- Eagle vs Shark (2007): Also starring Jemaine Clement, it shares a similar awkward and quirky sensibility and focuses on offbeat characters.
🛒 Gentlemen Broncos Related Products
- Gentlemen Broncos – Limited Edition Blu-Ray: A limited edition Blu-Ray featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, deleted scenes, and director’s commentary. Packaged in a uniquely designed slipcover.
- Yeast Lords: The Bronco Years – Fictional Book: Complete paperback based on the book referenced in the film, a funny parody for fans of the cult movie Gentleman Broncos.
- Bronco Fighting Surveillance Deer T-Shirt: High-quality t-shirt featuring the iconic image of the fighting deer from the Yeast Lords series. Available in various sizes and colors. Designed for comfort and durability.
- Ronald Chevalier’s Writing Workshop – Digital Download: A humorous digital guide ‘hosted’ by the character Ronald Chevalier. Features writing prompts, character name generators, and tips on how to write bad science fiction… ironically.
🎧 Soundtrack
Gentlemen Broncos features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “In the Year 2525” – performed by Zager & Evans
- “Carry On Wayward Son” – performed by Kansas
- “Just Like Jesse James” – performed by Cher
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Gentlemen Broncos’ was primarily filmed in Salt Lake City, Utah. The film utilizes various locations in and around the city to create its unique and quirky atmosphere.
No, ‘Gentlemen Broncos’ is not a sequel to ‘Napoleon Dynamite,’ although it shares the same director, Jared Hess, and a similar style of quirky, offbeat humor. They are separate, unrelated stories.
‘Gentlemen Broncos’ is a comedy about a home-schooled teenager who attends a fantasy writer’s convention and discovers that his story has been stolen by an established novelist, leading to a battle over creative ownership and artistic integrity.
🔥 Bonus Content
Gentlemen Broncos: I’m not seeing results.
Remember that ridiculously funny scene where he says ‘I’m not seeing results?’ It’s comedy gold and you can watch it again right here!
Sam Rockwell as Brutus – “Gentlemen Broncos” (2009) – bloopers
Wanna see Sam Rockwell crack up while filming Gentlemen Broncos? These bloopers are hilarious and prove how much fun they had on set!
Yeast Lords Short compilation, from ‘Gentlemen Broncos’ (2009)
Dive back into the weirdness of Gentlemen Broncos with this compilation of all the Yeast Lords scenes! If you loved it, you’ll enjoy this refresher; if you hated it, well, you gotta see it again, right?
Gentlemen Broncos Is A Misunderstood Masterpiece
Think Gentlemen Broncos is just a silly movie? This video makes a compelling case for it being a *misunderstood masterpiece*! It might change your mind (or at least give you something to argue about).
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