Kicking and Screaming Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A bunch of college grads are so afraid of growing up that they just… don’t, and instead spend a year engaging in peak millennial avoidance tactics fueled by cheap beer and Kafka references.

🍿 Kicking and Screaming: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Post-Graduation Limbo

The film centers around Grover and his group of friends, Max, Otis, and Skippy, as they grapple with the aftermath of college graduation. Unlike most of their peers, they find themselves unable to move on, clinging to the familiar comfort of their college town. This reluctance to embrace adulthood becomes a central theme, highlighting their anxieties and uncertainties about the future. Grover’s girlfriend, Jane, throws a wrench into his plans by announcing her move to Prague to pursue her writing career. He grapples with her departure and the uncertainty of their future together. Meanwhile, his friends struggle with their own personal crises: Otis’s fear of moving to Milwaukee, Max’s general ennui, and Skippy’s complicated relationship with his girlfriend, Miami.

Clinging to the Past

The friends spend their days revisiting familiar haunts, engaging in intellectual debates, and generally avoiding any significant life changes. They frequently hang out with Chet, a perpetual student and bartender who has spent a decade in college. Chet serves as a cautionary tale of what they might become if they remain stuck in their current state. The film explores their relationships with each other, their romantic entanglements, and their individual struggles to find purpose and direction. It showcases their witty banter, their insecurities, and their attempts to navigate the complexities of early adulthood.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Grover (Josh Hamilton): An aspiring writer struggling with his girlfriend’s departure and the transition to post-college life, clinging to familiar comforts.
• Max (Chris Eigeman): A cynical and intellectual friend of Grover who embodies the stagnation and fear of the future plaguing the group.
• Jane (Olivia d’Abo): Grover’s girlfriend, who chooses to pursue her writing career in Prague, leading to conflict and uncertainty in their relationship.
• Skippy (Jason Wiles): A member of Grover’s friend group, who is grappling with his relationship with Miami while avoiding commitment.
• Chet (Eric Stoltz): The perennial college student and bartender who serves as a cautionary tale for the group about the dangers of stagnation.
• Otis (Carlos Jacott): A friend of Grover, who is set to go to graduate school in Milwaukee but grapples with his anxiety and decision to leave.
• Miami (Parker Posey): Skippy’s girlfriend, who navigates the complexities of their relationship as he struggles with his future plans.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Max: “I’m nostalgic for conversations I had yesterday. I’ve begun reminiscing events before they even occur. I’m reminiscing this right now.” – Max expresses his constant state of nostalgia and inability to enjoy the present.
• Skippy: “We graduated four months ago. What can you possibly be nostalgic for?” – Skippy questions Max’s premature nostalgia, highlighting the group’s stagnation.
• Grover: “Despite my most intense efforts, things happen anyway.” – Grover says this about deciding against developing emotional attachments.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3 million
• Domestic Gross: $718,490
• Worldwide Gross: $718,490

💥 Kicking and Screaming Reviews

Personal Review

I absolutely loved this movie! It perfectly captures that feeling of being lost and aimless after college. The dialogue is so sharp and witty, and I found myself laughing out loud throughout the entire film. I especially loved the scenes with Max, he’s hilarious. The ending was a bit bittersweet, but it felt so real and honest. Definitely a must-watch for anyone who’s ever felt stuck in a rut.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of indie films”
  • “Those who enjoy witty dialogue”
  • “Recent college graduates”
  • “Viewers interested in coming-of-age stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Adult themes”
  • “Male Rear Nudity”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Baumbach’s debut is a witty and insightful look at post-graduate anxiety, capturing the feeling of being stuck between the comfort of college and the uncertainty of adulthood. The dialogue is sharp and the performances are excellent, making it a must-see for anyone who’s ever felt lost after graduation.
• The New York Times: “Kicking and Screaming is a fresh and funny take on the slacker comedy, with well-drawn characters and a keen sense of observation. While the plot may be meandering, the film’s charm lies in its relatable portrayal of post-college angst and the fear of commitment.
• Variety: “While Kicking and Screaming has its moments of wit and insight, the film ultimately suffers from a lack of focus and a meandering plot. The characters are well-defined, but their lack of motivation makes it difficult to fully invest in their stories.

Audience Reactions

The witty and intelligent dialogue kept me hooked from beginning to end.: Viewers praise the film’s relatable portrayal of post-college anxiety and the fear of adulthood.

Eric Stoltz as Chet is hilarious and perfectly embodies the eternal student.: Eric Stoltz is appreciated for giving the best performance of all

Overall Consensus: Kicking and Screaming is a witty and relatable coming-of-age story that captures the post-college angst of a generation. While the plot may be meandering, the film’s charm lies in its sharp dialogue, well-drawn characters, and honest portrayal of the fear of adulthood.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Noah Baumbach was only 25 years old when he wrote and directed ‘Kicking and Screaming’.”
• “The film was almost accepted into the Cannes Film Festival but Noah Baumbach refused to cut 15 minutes as requested, leading to its rejection.”

🖥️ How to Watch Kicking and Screaming?

As of today, “Kicking and Screaming” is available for rent or purchase on platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Check your preferred streaming service for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Kicking and Screaming, you might like these similar films:

• Metropolitan (1990): Both films feature witty dialogue and focus on the social dynamics of a group of privileged young adults.
• The Graduate (1967): Explores themes of post-graduation uncertainty and aimlessness.
• Reality Bites (1994): A snapshot of Gen X grappling with adulthood and career expectations post-college.
• Frances Ha (2012): A modern film, also directed by Noah Baumbach, about a young woman struggling to find her place in life and maintain friendships in New York City.
• Dazed and Confused (1993): Captures a specific moment in time when expectations for the future can seem unclear and uncertain.

🛒 Kicking and Screaming Related Products

• The Criterion Collection: Kicking and Screaming: Own Noah Baumbach’s debut film, remastered and packed with exclusive content, including interviews, deleted scenes, and behind-the-scenes footage. A must-have for any fan of the movie.
• Kicking and Screaming T-Shirt: Show your love for the film with this vintage-style t-shirt featuring the movie’s poster. Made from soft, comfortable material, it’s perfect for everyday wear.
• Limited Edition ‘Kicking and Screaming’ Poster: A high-quality, numbered print of the film’s iconic poster. Printed on archival paper and suitable for framing, this is a collector’s item for serious fans of the movie.
• Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami: Dive into the world of literature referenced in the film with a copy of Kafka on the Shore. Connect with the characters’ intellectual pursuits and literary references.

🎧 Soundtrack

Kicking and Screaming features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Cecilia Ann” – performed by Pixies
• “Bad Reputation” – performed by Freedy Johnston

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Will Ferrell Funny Robert Duvall Story #shorts @TheDanPatrickShow

Ever wonder what it’s like for actors working together on set? Will Ferrell shares a hilarious story about Robert Duvall during the filming of “Kicking and Screaming,” and let’s just say, it sounds like they had quite the dynamic! You have to see this.

Will Ferrell Shares Robert Duvall And James Caan Stories | 08/24/23

Want to hear some behind-the-scenes stories from the set of “Kicking and Screaming”? Will Ferrell talks about working with Robert Duvall *and* James Caan. Trust me, you’ll laugh!

Will Ferrell Crazy Funny Kicking and Screaming Story #shorts @RichEisenShow

Ever wonder what it’s like for actors working together on set? Will Ferrell shares a hilarious story about Mike Ditka during the filming of “Kicking and Screaming,” you’ll never guess.

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