Freddy Got Fingered Now Streaming on Criterion Channel

[HotTastyChili]

https://www.criterionchannel.com/freddy-got-fingered

This is real. I know the film has grown in estimation quite a bit over the years, but I didn't know it was to this scale. I've always considered it a subversive comedy masterpiece that dismantled the star comedy vehicle format of the time, as well as movie tropes in general in the most punk way possible. Rip Torn is genuinely incredible in this. Unlikely as it may be, if Criterion releases this on 4K or even normal Blu-ray I'd be hard pressed to express how funny I would find that.

Even if it is part of their "Razzie Collection" series, it's still hilarious.

[Hedrox]

Did this really need its own thread? Like yeah, I get it, "famously bad/mainstream movie that you wouldn't expect to see on Criterion", but they never branded themselves as an arbiter of taste and only "good movies".

Their words are "Discover important classics and contemporary cinema from around the world" and you can easily make the argument that Freddy Got Fingered is culturally relevant enough to be on such a list, regardless of its quality.

[MifuneFan]

It's not even in the collection proper, so it's not part of any statement they made pertaining to it. As mentioned it's part of their spotlight on films awarded Razzies. Here's the full list and description of the program, which I think provides the right context for its inclusion:

https://www.criterionchannel.com/and-the-razzie-goes-to

And the Razzie Goes to . . .
Every year, the Golden Raspberry Awards (a.k.a. the Razzies) honor the “worst” in contemporary cinema. Yet in doing so, they have often inadvertently shed light on films so out-there, so uncompromising, so beyond the bounds of accepted “good” taste that they demand attention. While some infamous Razzie winners like XANADU, BARB WIRE, and GIGLI live on as classics of camp and cult, others, like Michael Cimino’s HEAVEN’S GATE, Elaine May’s ISHTAR, and Paul Verhoeven’s SHOWGIRLS have been reclaimed as fearlessly ambitious expressions of personal vision. In a topsy-turvy way, this program pays tribute to those divisive films that continue to fascinate and provoke debate, while calling into question the very line that separates high and low culture.

[Poya]

I've never seen this movie. Is it true he humps a dead moose in this?

[scarletlion]

I remember being part of the 'this is legit the worst movie ever made' crew on release.

But I'm perfectly happy to accept I missed the entire point, and so need to give it a rewatch to assess if this is the case.

[bornthisway]

Ding dong! Diiiiiiiing dong!

[jess1581]

I'm backwards Man, Backwards Man, I can walk backwards as fast as you can.

[moreorless]

To be honest though I never really understood people thinking the film wasnt a satire, seems pretty dam obvious if you ask me.

[edmonddantes]

Originally Posted by HotTastyChili

https://www.criterionchannel.com/freddy-got-fingered

This is real. I know the film has grown in estimation quite a bit over the years, but I didn't know it was to this scale. I've always considered it a subversive comedy masterpiece that dismantled the star comedy vehicle format of the time, as well as movie tropes in general in the most punk way possible. Rip Torn is genuinely incredible in this. Unlikely as it may be, if Criterion releases this on 4K or even normal Blu-ray I'd be hard pressed to express how funny I would find that.

Even if it is part of their "Razzie Collection" series, it's still hilarious.

to my credit I said online almost the exact same thing 10 years ago, championing this movie as a neo surrealist masterpiece a la antonin artaud and people laughed at me, spat at me when they saw me in the street and recognized me for my avatar of a crying cat. thankfully every night when I got home, I had my sausage organ to furiously play to placate my frustration of no one sharing my opinion about freddy got fingered.

but seriously, its an awesome movie, one of the most free movies Ive seen, it really is like a dream, and the fact that idiots like ebert or maltin hated it makes me even more sure of my opinion.

[NI-Gunner]

Satirical masterpiece. It's even sweeter that so many didn't 'get' it, and some still don't.

[mikesncc1701]

I unapologetically love this. As I've put it, it's the biggest troll film of all time. It blatantly challenges how stupid it could be and people bought into it, hence it being considered one of the worst films ever. That's why it's so clever. I personally find it absolutely hilarious and honestly, it wouldn't be what it is without Rip Torn. Him constantly becoming unhinged is hilarious. Seriously, this has enough of a cult status. When are we getting this on blu? I know it's Fox/Disney so it'll probably never happen now but one can wish.

[HotTastyChili]

Originally Posted by Hedrox

Did this really need its own thread?

Yes.

Originally Posted by Poya

I've never seen this movie. Is it true he humps a dead moose in this?

No. He does that on his TV show. Although he does something with a deer carcass I won't spoil for you.

Originally Posted by scarletlion

I remember being part of the 'this is legit the worst movie ever made' crew on release.

But I'm perfectly happy to accept I missed the entire point, and so need to give it a rewatch to assess if this is the case.

It's definitely making fun of the SNL star vehicle and Farrelly Brothers comedies that were popular at the time. Most critics mistook it as the thing it was making fun of instead of what it is, which is a satire. It takes the tropes of those movies and cranks them to an extreme, making the lead character a barely functioning sociopathic moron that somehow succeeds in spite of himself. It also pokes at masculinity and blue collar Dads/America in general not respecting the dedication it takes to make it in the arts, but respecting the artists only when they make a million dollars off their craft.

[skinjob69]

Look at me Daddy, I'm a farmer!

[mikesncc1701]

"You either eat that goddamn roast beef or you can go to bed".

[A Sith Lord?]

If you weren't a fan of Tom Green's type of comedy back in those days, you just wouldn't understand how funny this movie is.

Tom Green was doing his kind of troll comedy back then similar to the way Eric Andre does his in the modern day. They're like if forum shitposters made movies.

[Infallible Presence]

[HotTastyChili]

"If this were Pakistan, you'd have been sewing soccer balls when you were four years old."

"You're not taking that bus to Los Angeles."

"You bought me a ticket on this bus to Los Angeles."

Originally Posted by Infallible Presence

I've yet to watch this film with anyone that didn't erupt into hysterics when Rip throws him through the shower door. Even people that hated the movie.

[Infallible Presence]

Originally Posted by HotTastyChili

[Show spoiler]"If this were Pakistan, you'd have been sewing soccer balls when you were four years old."

"You're not taking that bus to Los Angeles."

"You bought me a ticket on this bus to Los Angeles."

I've yet to watch this film with anyone that didn't erupt into hysterics when Rip throws him through the shower door. Even people that hated the movie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4sxHxDUbvQ

[ctujackbauer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-dNHQFb8QE

To avoid being arrested like this man in 2016, make sure you return your 2002 rental of Freddy Got Fingered.

[HotTastyChili]

Originally Posted by Infallible Presence

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4sxHxDUbvQ

Apparently Gene Wilder and Jerry Stiller were offered the role of Gord's father in this movie, but turned the film down. William Shatner was another candidate, who was Tom Green's landlord around the time. I cannot imagine anyone other than Rip Torn in the part. He crushed it. A cantankerous guy, but he's a comedy legend for this and for playing Artie on The Larry Sanders Show.