Rating: 
Summary: the workings of the industry
Review: 'Chump Change' deals in a real wacky way with the workings of the Hollywood movie-industry. Its plot is cleverly set up from Wisconsin, where life is projected as straight, simple and down-to-earth -- quite the opposite from all Hollywood-hectics. Hollywood shown in its usual Californian climate, Wisconsin in the depth of winter. Hollywood offering fast sex by a limo-girl, Wisconsin a serious platonic friendship with a very northern girl.
This movie really is about contrasts, and therefore serves well to show us Hollywood's vanity, lies and inhuman money-greed. Traci Elizabeth Lords, as the northern girl, takes the lead by emphasizing the values of winterly Wisconsin. One can safely assume that this well-acted, almost black & white contrast must have been the real purpose for making 'Chump Change'. Much more than just telling a story about a Wisconsin-guy who makes it in Hollywood.
Rating:
Summary: No CHUMPs Allowed
Review: I don't know that this film -- the story of Milwaukee Steve and his quest to have a billion dollar screenplay that'll light up Tinseltown like never before -- will ever amass a large following, but I will say that it's destined for a very unique 'culthood.'CHUMP CHANGE plays out like a 'cornbred Woody Allen' (complete with narration and analysis of the world around) as Steve details one misadventure after another. While there are elements are the plot that are largely predictable, don't be fooled: another zinger is waiting right around the corner! And, yes, of particular note is an absolutely winning performance turned in by Traci Lords. Yes. THAT Traci Lords! (Apologies if I've spelled her name wrong.) Her hometown wholesome girl-next-store twist almost steals the show ... if not, it certainly steals your heart! If you're in the mood for some great laughs, this is one you can throw in even for the noise!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely hilarious and totally heartwarming
Review: I laughed so hard - I cried. This movie has tons of laughs along with a lot of heart and doesn't hold back on either. It's a smart, sophisticated comedy with plenty of crotch whacks - literally something for everyone.
The lead character, Milwaukee Steve (Steve Burrows) brings so much energy and comedic pathos to the screen, you just like him and naturally root for him. The love story between him and Sam (Traci Lords) is so sweet and strangely touching. I was swept away by the beauty of both the midwest and their blossoming love.
Simon Sez (Tim Matheson) was amazing as the nutso kinetic producer. He brought a certain humanity to this otherwise unlikeable character. I haven't seen him in anything so funny since "Animal House".
The comedy flows throughout, but never more so than when Steve auditions for the casting director (Anne Meara) and the Trilogy of Titters cast put on a show. Clancy Brown also makes a powerful appearance as an acting coach. The moive is loaded with strong, fun cameo's. Abe Vigoda as the frog, Jerry Stiller (the Colonel) and Fred Willard (Manager) were particularly hilarious. In fact, Fred delivers one of the most memorable lines from any movie I've ever seen, "I should've never given you my opinion 'til I found out what it was supposed to be".
The DVD extra's are superb and unexpectedly funny. I never seen anything like the focus group lo-lights and the director's commentary on the director's commentary - totally unique and hugely hilarious. The director's commentary is loaded with entertaining and interesting tidbits about the making of the film. And I loved the full scene of Dr. Kevorkian-the musical, in the outtakes.
This is a laugh-out-loud, funny American original. A must see, wild-romp through Hollywood and the midwest. I loved it.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent film with tons of laughs
Review: If you enjoyed The Player by Robert Altman, you will like this, too. It isn't quite as dark or masterfully directed - but it has a lot of witty humor, a convincing love story and an interesting script about life in show business. The actors in the film really seem to be enjoying themselves and it is contagious for the audience. Also, the movie is additional fun for anyone living in Wisconsin with all the local references and scenery that is captured. Traci Lords deserves an Oscar for her performance. Yes, I'm totally serious. You have to see Chump Change and you'll know what I'm talking about. I knew she was in the movie (and I know what she looks like) and yet I had no idea - for the whole film - which character she was playing - until they ran photo credits at the end. Hopefully a lot of people in Hollywood will see this - it should really spark a rebirth for her as a serious actress. She is much more talented than the current group of "A-List" people like Jennifer Aniston and Jennifer Lopez. The cost of the DVD is a little higher than average - but, this is worth every dollar. Excellent film, lots of extra scenes, outtakes, interviews. $25 is "Chump Change" to pay. Send a message to the movie industry that we want better comedies in major release - like this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent comedy that should be in the theaters
Review: If you enjoyed The Player by Robert Altman, you will like this, too. It isn't quite as dark or masterfully directed - but it has a lot of witty humor, a convincing love story and an interesting script about life in show business. The actors in the film really seem to be enjoying themselves and it is contagious for the audience. Also, the movie is additional fun for anyone living in Wisconsin with all the local references and scenery that is captured. Traci Lords deserves an Oscar for her performance. Yes, I'm totally serious. You have to see Chump Change and you'll know what I'm talking about. I knew she was in the movie (and I know what she looks like) and yet I had no idea - for the whole film - which character she was playing - until they ran photo credits at the end. Hopefully a lot of people in Hollywood will see this - it should really spark a rebirth for her as a serious actress. She is much more talented than the current group of "A-List" people like Jennifer Aniston and Jennifer Lopez. The cost of the DVD is a little higher than average - but, this is worth every dollar. Excellent film, lots of extra scenes, outtakes, interviews. $25 is "Chump Change" to pay. Send a message to the movie industry that we want better comedies in major release - like this one.
Rating:
Summary: Could it be? Funniest Movie in the History of Funny Movies?
Review: No. That would be Blazing Saddles. HOWEVER, read on, as CHUMP CHANGE IS NOW ALSO ON MY TOP TEN LIST OF FAVORITE COMEDIES!
(And, to be totally honest with the readers of this review, yes, I do know the director, and consider myself a member of "The Army of Chump". But I'll take off my "friend hat" for the rest of the review, and shoot straight from the hip). Chump Change is an absolutely hilarious comedy. I'm buying a few copies of the DVD, not only for myself, but for my friends and family who missed the theatrical premiere! Also, the film is funny because it is so TRUE! Most of the film's storyline and anecdotes are based on writer/director/producer/actor Steve Burrows' real career in Hollywood. Steve has been a great actor in sit-coms and commercials for years, as also a great director of commercials and short films. I find it hard to believe that Steve jumped into a full length feature film wearing so many hats, and pulled off a classic comedy his first time out. I also think there will be quite a few lines from this movie heard on people's lips in late January! "Twitching" anyone? The other co-stars and cameo performances within the film are just as hilarious. Tim Matheson as the over-caffeinated movie producer; Traci Elizabeth Lords as a very sweet, funny, convincingly cynical Wisconsinite (you go girl!); smaller cameos by Jerry Stiller, Abe Vigoda (yes THE Abe Vigoda), Clancy Brown, Fred Willard, Ann Mira and many more. Great production values in both Wisconsin (very snowy, very kitschy) and Los Angeles (very bright, very "chic"). And a little bit of swearing. Did I mention Tim Matheson swearing. Lots of Swearing. Hilarious amounts of swearing. It felt like this ex-vice president from the West Wing just drank 40 gallons of coffee with Lee Ermy at breakfast. The script is well written, and well acted -- just plain funny. What more could you ask for? Well, the theatrical audience, where I saw the film at the Milwaukee International Film Festival in November 2003 (all 1000+ of us in the sellout crowd) got to ask for more. There was a great Q&A with Steve and Traci after the film, and although you'd think this was a 15 million dollar studio film, I'm pretty sure that you could have made 4 Chumps for the price of even one "My Big Fat Greek Wedding". So, remember that studio executives -- great films, and great comedies, can come from outside your big budget studio machines. This is a great one. Keep funding and distributing great films like this. You've set the bar pretty high, Steve, I'm sure even more Wisconsin filmmakers are up to the challenge of following in your footsteps!
Rating: 
Summary: It grows on you
Review: Not enough substance to carry the movie through to the end but there are definitely plenty of funny moments. The acting is pretty good and I found the characters believable and likeable. Excellent casting. Nicely done DVD including good director's commentary. I think this movie deserves more notice.
Rating:
Summary: It grows on you
Review: Not enough substance to carry the movie through to the end but there are definitely plenty of funny moments. The acting is pretty good and I found the characters believable and likeable. Excellent casting. Nicely done DVD including good director's commentary. I think this movie deserves more notice.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best DVDs ever released!
Review: Stephen Burrows' comedy masterpiece, Chump Change, delivers one hilarious laugh after another. The talented up-and-coming director captures great performances by all, including Jerry Stiller, Traci Lords, Tim Matheson, Fred Willard, and even Abe Vigoda. Even the most serious of all will find themselves laughing out loud as the film traces Burrows' adventures from the West Coast to the Midwest. Not only is the film itself tremendous, but the DVD is by far one of the best I own. Jam-packed with extras, including Director's Commentary, Director's Commentary on the Director's Commentary, and Focus Group Low-Lights (actual comments made by real people about the film), this DVD promises to entertain for hours! You won't be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: Fame, Fortune, Cheese, Beer and LAUGHS
Review: There is really only one reason to purchase a DVD copy of Chump Change: It's flat out FUNNY.
If, like me, you were at the premier in Milwaukee, you know what I mean. The director did a masterful job of comparing/contrasting the two centers of his existence. Milwaukee: cold and gray on the exterior, yet warm and sunny on the inside; Los Angeles: its polar opposite.
He manages to paint this portrait, while still making you roar with laughter throughout. The director and location crew deserve Academy Awards, as I have never seen a film whose scenes were shot so well, in such unusual places. You don't need to be from Milwaukee to appreciate this, but if you are, these scenes will bring sentimental smiles to your face. If you aren't, this film will make feel like you're a natural born cheesehead. It's hard to conceive that the ridiculous sequence of events that pull this movie together are based on "Milwaukee" Steve's real life, but it's true. One cannot help but appreciate the perseverance of a guy who gets kicked in the head so often, and keeps getting back up for more. The Wheel of Fortune scene is one of the funniest things ever filmed. Writer/director Burrows could write a feature based on that alone. Maybe he already has? The supporting cast of Lords, Matheson, Jerry & Amy Stiller, Meara, Willard, Vigoda, etal, is superb. Kudos to Burrows and his casting crew for being able to secure actors of notoriety on what would certainly qualify as less than a shoestring budget. Simply put, this film deserves you attention, because it is the funniest, sweetest, most true to life romp through lunacy you may ever experience. Looking forward to more from Burrows. I would expect Miramax won't miss an opportunity to bring his next effort to the masses via the big screen.
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