My Movie Starring Paul Dano - Incluvie Review

My Movie Starring Paul Dano—written and directed by Joe Bartone— is an absurdist, campy mockumentary about the challenges of indie filmmaking. 

While watching My Movie Starring Paul Dano, I was reminded of the first time I saw Lollilove, especially how that movie feels like a group of friends making a mockumentary about Hollywood. 

One of my favorite aspects of My Movie Starring Paul Dano is its blend of illustrations and dream sequences within its mockumentary structure. As the script is written, we are shown how the movie Bear Naked Amazonians From Mars looks in Herman’s head, with all its retro b movie campy charm. 

The indie film Slash about the world of fanfiction and campy sci-fi includes a similar blend of reality and fiction. These moments in My Movie Starring Paul Dano are filled with absurd charm that veers into the sexist undertones of old genre films in a way that feels intentional and understanding, painting a picture of how the film industry isn’t as different as we think from the days of prehistoric babes in futuristic bikinis. 

What starts as a film filled to the brim with awkward humor and characters we aren’t sure we want to root for swiftly becomes something bordering on heartwarming as we see how everyone comes together to make sure their dreams come true, even if not everything is going according to plan. 

The jokes don’t always land but there is always a welcome amount of homespun charm that keeps you engaged and wanting to know how this unlikely group of characters will come together. 

Some of the plot lines feel outdated and overly dramatic but in a way that satirizes the film industry and makes you intentionally cringe in response. 

What makes this film so memorable is its love for film, especially capturing bygone eras. So much of the film-within-a-film segments are inundated with the unique spirit of Roger Corman classics.  

My Movie Starring Paul Dano is a love letter to the ups and downs of making art with the people in your life. 

Structuring the film into sections focused on a specific aspect of the filmmaking process works well and even leads to some moments of humor where the dialogue plays off the titles appearing. 

My Movie Starring Paul Dano feels like a weird 90s indie you would find browsing the racks at a video store where you don’t know what to expect. The comic illustrations add a unique atmosphere that perfectly fits the movie and makes you want to know more about the characters. 

Not every character in My Movie Starring Paul Dano is likable and it’s better for it. Every character touches on Hollywood stereotypes taken to an absurd level, creating a memorable satire. 

Throughout the film, there are many funny moments as well as some delightfully awkward moments that make you feel secondhand embarrassment. One of the best moments in the film comes when Printer John (Steven Michael Martin) pretends to be Paul Dano. 

My Movie Starring Paul Dano is a movie clearly made with passion and love for indie filmmaking that affectionately pokes fun at the types of low budget films we have seen throughout film history. 

If you want to see a delightfully unique mockumentary that has a deep appreciation for film and wants to celebrate the highs and lows of trying to get an indie film made, My Movie Starring Paul Dano is a great choice.