Clear History

Plot synopsis:
In 2003, bearded, long-haired Nathan Flomm (Larry David) is an opinionated, obnoxious business associate of Will Haney (Jon Hamm), whose company in San Jose, California is about to introduce a new electric car. Flomm objects to the car being named "the Howard" after Haney’s son, who is himself named after Howard Roark, hero of The Fountainhead. After Flomm accepts a severance package to cut ties with the company, he becomes a ridiculed public figure when the Howard is a huge success, costing Flomm what would have been his share — a billion dollars.
Ten years later, a balding, clean-shaven Flomm has changed his name to Rolly DaVore and moved to Martha's Vineyard, beginning a new life and making new acquaintances. They include a new best friend (Frank), a now former lover (Wendy), and a local building contractor (Mr. McKenzie).
Frank takes Flomm (a.k.a. Rolly) to a surprise birthday party where he punches Jaspar, the only African-American, after a loud welcome by Rolly's friends surprises him. Flomm ruins Jaspar's budding romance with Jennifer (Eva Mendes), a formerly heavy-set woman, when he advises her to date other men before settling. Jaspar concludes Flomm is a racist. When learning rock band Chicago is returning to the Vineyard for the first time in 20 years, Flomm hears a rumor that Wendy had sex with multiple members of the band after that concert. He is upset that everyone seems to know about this but him.
Haney, now a wealthy mogul, arrives on the island with wife Rhonda (Kate Hudson) and begins building an ostentatious mansion on the site of "Blue Heron," the former Stumpo family home. Flomm is relieved that Haney doesn't recognize him, but can't bear to remain on the island. However, inspired by the movie The Fountainhead, Flomm becomes determined to gain revenge for his lost billion dollars by blowing up Haney's mansion. Frank introduces him to explosives expert Joe Stumpo (Michael Keaton) and Stumpo's friend Rags (Bill Hader). He then persuades McKenzie, the construction foreman, to let him be part of the crew.
Stumpo needs a detonator. Flomm meets with Tibor, a Chechen criminal, and pays him $1,000. While driving away, Flomm has a fender-bender with Tibor's new car (a Howard). Tibor demands Flomm pay for the damage. Jaspar discovers Flomm's true identity and warns if Jennifer dates another man he will make Flomm's identity known. Jennifer takes up with Tibor. Flomm worms his way into a close friendship with Haney's wife Rhonda, pretending to know about architecture and engineering. Flomm lies to Tibor that Jennifer had performed oral sex on members of the band Chicago.
Flomm concludes from Rhonda's attentions that she is attracted to him, which will now be his revenge, rather than blowing up the Haneys' new house. During a heated argument over who should move their car, Flomm mistakes her passion and kisses her. Rhonda is repulsed, asking: "Are you crazy?"
Flomm proceeds with the plotted destruction of the house, to occur during Chicago's concert performance, when no one will be home. The band tells Flomm that two of them did indeed receive oral sex from Wendy on their previous visit. Jaspar becomes furious at seeing Jennifer with Tibor and informs the local newspaper of Rolly's true identity. Haney turns up at the concert and shocks Flomm by embracing him, saying he's been trying to locate him for years. He wants to pay Flomm the billion dollars, feeling guilty over their falling out. Flomm is elated, but now must stop Stumpo and Rags from destroying the mansion, which, it turns out, is being built for the benefit of sick and underprivileged children. Flomm arrives too late. The house explodes just as a bus filled with children arrives.
The three end up serving three years in prison. Bearded and shaggy-haired again after his release, Flomm returns to Martha's Vineyard, reunites with Frank and runs into Jennifer, who is overweight again. They decide to go on a date. Flomm, after a haircut and shave, is welcomed back by his poker buddies. One refers to Haney and Rhonda having gone back to California. Wendy has inherited millions of dollars from an elderly woman. The friends thank Flomm for destroying the ugly mansion. They say the Chicago concert was great and that everybody had a great time, including the band, as Flomm learns to his horror, Jennifer did perform fellatio on band members this time.

Tags: revenge

Review:
Clear History is like an extended episode of L.D.'s Curb Your Enthusiasm, it has the same spirit, the same jokes, but yet it works.
Clear History centers on Nathan Flomm (L.D.), a marketing executive, who works for and is also a partner with Will Haney (Jon Hamm); they're working on an idea of a revolutionary electric car, but when the name of the car becomes an issue for Nathan, they part their ways.
One day (after 10 years) a well known face shows up in town (Will Haney), and leaves Nathan no option but to plot revenge.Any "Curb Your Enthusiasm" fan won't be disappointed with what "Clear History" has to offers, and anybody else who watches the movie will enjoy it too, cuz the movie is funny, the jokes hit the mark, the story is simple (it's easy to follow it), the ensemble cast dances with L.D's tune and also the soundtrack (mostly supplied by Chicago's discography) make it a "Clear Triumph".
It's very much like an extended episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm with the same sort of quirky observational humor and dependence on Larry's obsessions with the minutia of every day life.
Larry David (unrecognizable at first) plays an obnoxious man involved in a start up electric car company.
Jon Hamm plays the company's boss.Standouts in the cast include the always funny Eva Mendez, the not often seen enough Michael Keaton, and the surprisingly hilarious Liev Schreiber doing a Chechen character.
They are all so good in comedy.Attractive setting in Martha's Vineyard.Hope HBO starts making more excellent movie length comedies like this one..
Despite some funny moments & an ensemble to die for, this Larry David comedy doesn't really bring out the hilarity one might expect from it.'Clear History' Synopsis: A disgraced former marketing executive plots revenge against his former boss, who made billions from the electric car company they started.'Clear History' clearly lacks wit & top humour.
If you are a Curb Your Enthusiasm fan as I am, you will like this movie.
I absolutely love Larry David (hilarious) and Jon Hamm (a feast for your eyes) - and this was definitely an interesting match up.
It is nice to see Jon Hamm outside of Mad Men, and Larry David in movies.
I found the Larry David's character to be very "Curb Your Enthusiasm" - which I find real, honest, and relateable.
If you're looking for a light-hearted laugh fest (and you're a Larry David and Jon Hamm fan)...
Cast was really good, but this would have worked better as a movie version of "Curb." It just doesn't work when Larry plays his "Curb" character, which he clearly did in this movie, without the "Curb" treatment and texture.
If you like Seinfeld & Curb Your Enthusiasm you will love this movie.
Overall, if you like Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm you will love this movie.
Not everyone is a raving fan of "Curb Your Enthusiasm." The show is often like watching a root- canal procedure as Larry David's character plunges himself into one unnecessary, painfully embarrassing situation after another.
You can understand why people like Rolly, the name of the hard-luck case Larry David plays here.
The crush Rolly develops on Kate Hudson's character is also believable and funny, especially the way it (of course) comes crashing down around him.The cast is terrific.
I suppose you could say the show "Clear History" was an extended episode of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" , but without as many laughs , and you'd be right.
I enjoy "Curb" ' was a big Seinfeld fan , but to watch a Larry David joke go for over 90 minutes , or however long it went was a bit too much.
A fun & entertaining movie with the genius of Larry David.
I will be the first to admit that it shines with the humor of Larry David but I wish people would stop saying it is another episode of "Curb Your Enthusiasm".
Of course the humor of Larry David runs from start to finish but that is what makes it entertaining.
Just like every Abbott & Costello movie ran true to their humor so does other projects by Larry David.
"Curb You Enthusiasm" is perhaps the best comedy television show ever made and running neck and neck wit Seinfeld which is also reflecting the genius of Larry David.
Nonetheless, you will get some good chuckles from "Clear History" and come away feeling quite content with both the story and the characters!.
Now, later today, I review Clear History, a terrific comedy of errors that relies completely on dialog and situations that work against its lead character in every possible way.
It's depressing, cruel, and undoubtedly self-deprecating, but you simply can't look away.I've said it several people and have published it many times, but I'll say it reiterate my point that Larry David's program Curb Your Enthusiasm, which is now on hiatus after eight seasons, is a work of television brilliance and quite possibly the funniest comedy ever to hit television.
I can't tell you after how many episodes of the show I argued with myself over what option in a specific situation was better.Clear History has been called the unofficial Curb Your Enthusiasm movie and that is a fair and accurate summation.
It possesses the same tone as the program, which is often self-deprecating and personal, it has some of the same actors, the same naturalistic way of filming, the beautiful Italian score, and the countless number of situations that do not work out in the lead characters' favor.
David stars as Nathan Flomm, a marketing agent for Electron Motors, a renowned car company, who decides to give up his ten-percent share in the company when the owner Will Haney (Jon Hamm) unleashes a new model car he does not agree with.
This allows for "Rolly" to hatch a plan, which is more asinine than anything he has ever come up with.The film works because it relies on its characters and, like Curb Your Enthusiasm, the idea that a character has to partake in something he doesn't want to and winds up being humiliated in every setup.
This irony, combined with David's familiar but instantly lovable character who has to make a comment about trivial things like shampooing once a week, the lack of eye-level outlets, how silverware can not be placed on a table that has just been wiped-down with a rag, and how there can't be a "tat" when there was no "tit" is precisely why the film is so engaging and entertaining.
These ridiculous setups provide for hilarity and nonstop fun, which is what the film is all around.Fueled by a tremendous cast featuring comedy greats such as Danny McBride, Bill Hader, and Curb's underrated but quick-witted J.B. Smoove, this is as close-to-home as an unrelated film on the series you could get.
I was heartbroken at the fact that season nine of Curb Your Enthusiasm was not even in Larry David's sight, but the fact that we got a genuinely entertaining, uproariously funny film in place of the season is more than enough.
This is one of the funniest comedies - and possibly one of the strongest films - of the year.NOTE: Clear History will air throughout the remainder of August and September on HBO.Starring: Larry David, Bill Hader, Philip Baker Hall, Jon Hamm, Kate Hudson, Michael Keaton, Danny McBride, Eva Mendes, Amy Ryan, and J.B. Smoove.
If Larry David wanted to make something EXACTLY like Curb Your Enthusiasm, why not just make another season of Curb Your Enthusiasm?
I was initially upset when I heard that Larry David was going to skip another season of Curb Your Enthusiasm to do a made-for-TV move.
David's decision to take himself and much of his cast out of the familiar Curb Your Enthusiasm environment, and place them into a parody of one of Ayn Rand's best known and most controversial novels, was an excellent one.The casting of this movie is terrific, and each member of the cast has moments of brilliance.
For example, check out Kate Hudson's reaction when Larry David kisses her, or Michael Keaton's just-a-slight-hint-of-Beetlejuice performance as a mad bomber.
I'm no actor, but it looks like it takes a special talent to ad lib, particularly through a Larry David comedy.
And David has assembled an exceptionally talented group of actors who can roll with his punches and make it look easy and fun to watch.Most of the Ayn Rand parodies I've seen have been ham-fisted and humorless, but Clear History's parody is light, intelligent and entertaining.
Oh, come on: I know Ayn Rand wouldn't approve, but...it's funny!) Whether Larry David's develops season of Curb Your Enthusiasm, another made-for-TV movie, or some other project, I'll be eagerly awaiting his next move..
Larry David is back basically playing his character from Curb Your Enthusiam in a new HBO movie.
What he doesn't know is that Will has good intentions.As in Curb, Rolly complains about the simplest of things and JB Smoove is back with Larry.
The PR manager Nathan Flomm (Larry David) refuses to market the car due to the name and sells back his 10% of the company.
Will shows up having bought a large property but he doesn't recognize Nathan.I don't watch Curb although I know Larry David's character.
Kate Hudson is delightful as an upper-class wife not immune to the simpler charms of life on Martha's Vineyard as lived by the year-round residents who make up the bulk of the film's cast of characters.
Those claimming it is an extended "CYE" episode are very wrong in my opinion because whereas "Curb" is absolutely hilarious and guffaw inducing this movie is very much devoid of big laughs.
If you need to watch a better feature film with LD, check out "Whatever Works" directed by Woody Allen.
A lot of people may or will feel like the movie is an extension of another 'Curb Your Enthusiasm.' But with so many more amazing actors & actresses added into the mix and the talent level of all of them along with the the myth himself, Larry the Legend.
And people were doing good parts with their given roles and characters, just a shame that Michael Keaton and Bill Hader weren't given more time on the screen, because their characters really had potential for something funny.While "Clear History" isn't the kind of comedy that will have you laying flat from laughing, then the comedy and humor in the movie was well placed and worked out nicely.
Even so, "Clear History" is a very funny movie.
Basically, Larry David is no great comedian, but he can be funny when he tries.
Yes it is worth watching, but it is basically the same thing as a Curb Your Enthusiasm episode.
If that sounds good to you, then watch it.Danny McBride and Larry David was promising.
This movie did have some funny parts, and good old Larry David is always funny.
But, this movie doesn't deserve a 10 because, just like in Curb, things go a little TOO wrong for Larry.
I really wish Larry David would be in more stories where he can be funny throughout those backfiring moments, but still find some happiness somewhere.
I'm still optimistic that Larry David could deliver one way or another, but the more I watch him perform in anything, the less I expect.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not against Jewish-American comedy, because I'm sure some who reads this may think that since I'm mentioning Seinfeld in one sentence with Larry David, is because they're both Jewish-American.
Disappointing, considering how much comedic talent (Bill Hader, Danny McBride, Jon Hamm) and famous people (Michael Keaton, Amy Ryan, Eva Mendes, Kate Hudson) are in this.
Like a longer episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm.
I do watch Curb Your Enthusiasm and think it's a funny but crazy show.
If I had done that I might have understood that this is a movie very much featuring Larry Davids mind and ideas.
It is like a long episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm with a similar kind of plot.
Just like Larry in Curb Your Enthusiasm.
It is a funny movie but I think some may think it's a bit too much like Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Although he plays an different character, Larry David isn't an actor.
The actors are a mixture of old people who seem like David's real life buddies from his favorite lunchroom and a group of Hollywood's elite like Kate Hudson, Eva Mendes, Jon Hamm, Bill Hader and the always brilliant Philip Baker Hall.
Larry David does what he does best and Constanza style he executes his petty revenge on Jon Hamm.
If Larry David would write an actual movie plot in stead of an TV episode he could be the next Woody Allen..
I looked forward to this movie having watched every episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm and never laughed more.
What a let down, he should have played it as a different character because what makes Larry David funny in CYE is that he is comfortable in the world of wealth and leisure where things annoy him.
This is not a half-hour episode of quick jokes in an imagined environment whose history we well know, such as Curb or Seinfeld....this is a full length movie and the non- sequiturs start to add up very quickly.
Nothing grates like seeing real movie stars giving performances worthy of bad community theater often too serious and too "funny" at the same time.
I am a huge fan of curb your enthusiasm, and have seen all the seasons and episodes, and also Larry David's Sour Grapes which was decent.
This was an attempt of Larry applying the same kind of humor and jokes we see in Curb, to a full length movie, but like others said, the Characters are completely wooden and you could care less what happened to them.
As much as I admire Curb Your Enthusiasm, Clear History is funnier.
For one thing, it moves like lighting, with a season's worth of Curb's big moments, one after the other and all part of a logical plot.
Instead of loose improv, each is a tight comedic scene with sharp dialog (by David, Alec Berg, David Mandel and Jeff Schaffer, his old Seinfeld brain trust) delivered by a stellar supporting cast: Jon Hamm, Kate Hudson, Danny McBride, J.B. Smoove, Eva Mendes, Philip Baker Hall, an unrecognizable Michael Keaton as Joe Stumpo, an unbilled Liev Schreiber as a scary Chechen...and an unfortunately underutilized Bill Hader.One classic line comes when Larry's Nathan Flomm tries to undo his rash resignation, arguing that the act of apology is sufficient and whether he really means it is irrelevant.
It makes as much sense as the meta-Larry on Curb having friends.The writing is fiendishly clever; what seem like simple jokes turn out to reveal character and propel the plot: I laughed out loud when The Fountainhead came Rolly's TV halfway through - inspiring Rolly's revenge plot.
It looked like Jon Hamm's naming both his kid and his car after Howard Roark was finally going to bite him in the ass.
A few twists later, we learn Hamm's character has repented his Ayn Rand ways and David's Nathan/Rolly is undone by his own pride -- Clear History is like the farce version of Breaking Bad. But the Fountainhead scene was when I decided this film is Larry David's The Bank Dick.The fight on the road with Kate Hudson, building to a perfect reversal of expectations - and then the most hilariously mean use of a motorcycle accident in any comedy - suffice it to say, I found this the funniest movie of 2013, even though it wasn't in a theater..
Didn't do them justice at all.Clear History was a 50/50 for me as I like watching Larry David because only he can bring a perspective to a character that you can 'get' every now and then, even if his character makes stupid decisions or makes stupid moves.
Nathan (Larry David) works for Electron Motors, an up and coming electric car company.
On screen, Larry David's luck sucks, this is clear.
In "Curb," as many fans call it (myself being one of them), Larry David plays himself.
That is what I thought, at least, until I saw Clear History where David, again, plays a person much like himself who has a knack to get stuck in unfortunate events.Clear History is a story of a disgraced former marketing guru, Nathan, (David) who plots to get revenge on his boss, Will (Jon Hamm).
Will does not recognize Nathan because he is no longer bearded (like above) but looks like classic Larry David.
No one really liked the monstrosity of a house Will had built.Overall, Clear History is worth a watch.
If you have seen any of Curb Your Enthusiam, you know David's character in this film.
How does Larry David come up with this (add Michael Keaton ) expletive here.
Clear History is by far Kate Hudson 's best role ever, Larry David nailed her character on the head.
I love "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and I'm a little disappointed we may never see another season...however, the geniuses behind that series brings us the HBO movie "Clear History." While it's possible it could annoy some viewers as the film very much has the feel of "Curb" and--actually, let's just be honest here, the movie is just a long episode of the show as it even includes the same music and the same humor style; the only thing it lacks is the actors aren't playing characterized versions of themselves.
Actors like Jon Hamm, Michael Keaton, Bill Hader and Danny McBride are all here and do a great job but ultimately left me wanting more and filled me with a desire to see them make more funny moments."Clear History" isn't blasting into new territory of comedy like "Curb" did when it first started but, despite its problems, I still really enjoyed it and found it amusing.