Visioneers
Tags: psychedelic, comedy, satire, depressing

Plot synopsis:
George Washington Winsterhammerman lives an ordinary life. He has a wife, a kid, a house and a boat. Every day George gets in his minivan and goes to work as a Level Three Tunt at the Jeffers Corporation, the largest and most profitable corporation in the history of humankind. Though he lives an utterly comfortable life, George is growing nervous. People around him have begun explodingliterally. Fearing he might be next, George visits his doctor and learns that his recurring dreams are a symptom of impending explosion. Unfortunately, George cant stop dreaming, and as the explosion epidemic worsens, he is forced to question the life hes been living. This quirky and distinctive story, utterly original in every way, features inspired casting, particularly with acclaimed actor and comedian Zach Galifianakis as George. He is joined by the delightful Judy Greer and terrific indie mainstay James LeGros. VISIONEERS, the debut film from the sibling filmmaking team of Brandon and Jared Drake, offers a darkly comic view of a world so skewed it can't help but remind us of our own. [D-Man2010]First time feature filmmaker Jared Drake makes his directorial debut with this quirky black comedy set in the near future, and concerning a curious spike in cases of spontaneous human combustion. The Jeffers Corporation is the largest business in the history of mankind, and they got that way thanks to their strict philosophy of happiness through mindless productivity. But when people begin literally exploding due to unhappiness, Jeffers Corporation Level Three TUNT George Washington Winsterhammerman (Zach Galifianakis) begins to fear that his time will come sooner rather than later. [D-Man2010]George lives a comfortable yet completely uneventful life, and when he starts having dreams in which hes the first President of the United States, his doctor informs him that they could be signs of impending explosion. Later, as the dreams become more frequent and his co-workers continue to detonate, George is prompted to reevaluate his mundane existence. Judy Greer, Missi Pyle, and James LeGros co-star in an existential black comedy featuring music by Tim DeLaughter of the Polyphonic Spree. [D-Man2010]

Review: Its not likely to bring glee to the eyes of those that usually adorn the walls of the local multiplex.The film is pretty good satire.
Some of the satire was lacking any subtlety; I'm thinking of the life coach who tries to cure Zach.Many people have compared this to Brazil, its a fair comparison.
The story follow George Washington Winsterhammerman (Zach G.) as he floats through his day-to-day life without any real passion, all the while trying to avoid "exploding," which the world around him continually claims to be able to prevent by following various self-help books, buying the latest gadget or toy, and staying productive; basically, not truly living in any real sense.
None of this stuff truly works for George; he has dreams, but he is afraid to follow them, because he is lead to believe that if he does he will definitely explode.The almost-too-subtle tone and style of the film can be hard to interpret at times, especially if you're trying too hard to understand it, but I believe it suits the film well and allows for a truly contemplative cinematic experience.
There are so many underlying themes and messages about life at the heart of this film that it is impossible to list them all here, and I don't know if I even could, because I probably missed a few of them the first couple of times I watched it.
Turn the negative, cynical and egotistical part of your brain off before you sit down to watch Visioneers and you will truly appreciate the message of the film.
Yes, it has a few flaws here and there, and may also seem preachy and pretentious at times, but that could very well have been intentional; meant to convey the message of the film in a different way.It wrestles with what it truly means to be alive!
A little of both, I guess.Visioneers is one such example: the trailer comes across as a fairly light-hearted, quirky romantic comedy.In reality, however, this film deserves to sit beside 1984 and Blade Runner as dark and disturbing visions of dystopian futures.
While it starts out with the uncomfortable humor you'd expect from a Zach Galifianakis film, the atmosphere of oppression builds over the course of the movie to become almost unbearable.
The world around him is full of deadpan absurdities, a parody of drab offices and mid life crises, with an undercurrent of hopelessness that rings a little too true to sit comfortably.The way the theme of dreams is turned into a literal threat is done with obvious self-awareness, but it comes across like a bad cinematic pun.
I can see why some people wouldn't get it, and the drake brothers are right when they say that their film is a little weird.
The film comments on so many things its hard to make a mental list while watching the movie or even afterwards, but i think that would cheapen the premiere experience.
If you take the time to watch this movie, you will not walk away disappointed.
I just read the reviews here on IMDb and can't imagine these are people who actually watched the movie who are not friends of the filmmakers.This movie was absolutely terrible, imo.
I just got out of the screening at Austin Film Festival and the crowd walking out seemed to agree with me, that this was NOT good.The whole thing feels like a short story that goes on forever.
The brother is a little funny, but the whole "Garp-like" idea of the backyard being a messiah for happy people is a serious stretch and barely explained...the FBI attacks them?
This well crafted story follow George Washington Winsterhammerman(played pefectly by Zach Galifianakis) as he deals with the recent outbreak of exploding people, his wife trying to find happiness through a book, and a budding romance with a coworker.
I watched this film for Zach Galifianakis, as recently I've come to love him and his humor.
You can note that a majority of people in the movie who stop/prevent exploding, such as the pole vaulting brother, found their happiness and their release in throwing off the chains of modern day life and plunging head first into chasing their dream regardless of how ridiculous it may be.
I have not watched Brazil or read 1984, so I'm willing to give the benefit of the doubt it is similar; but it's not like every movie released in theaters hasn't been done in one way shape or form.
Zach Galifianakis, an unhappily married family man who works in Level 3 of a major productivity corporation (where the company logo is the middle finger salute), attempts to avoid combustible stress as it is causing citizens to literally explode.
Considering the strangeness of the movie I expected the end to be somewhat living up to it, but this is where it kind of veers back to normality which I think may have been done for a proper distribution.
I was skeptical of what seemed, from previews, like a plot that reached too far and relied on shock value but I was wrong, the film is beautiful and the absurdity comes from a real and painful place.
in it and instantly thought 'oh, I like immature humor hopefully this is more of the same.' This is easily his best film to date and it's negative reviews only go to show how pathetic the average American movie goer has grown.
In fact, if you have dreams, it's advised to visit a doctor immediately.The film tries to impress the message of how disgustingly repressing and sad are our lives in a corporate capitalist system such as exists in the US today, how marriages that shouldn't have happened for the sake of marrying someone and that lack communication are basically uncomfortable space sharing, how driving an expensive boat and car is meaningless and how therapy sessions, books and TV shows that try to teach you how to be happy are poor prescriptions to tolerable living.The film also shows how the opposition of this lifestyle as exists today is not a rebellion but a mere conformity.
The film argues that people who try to live alternative lifestyles, such as hippies, are nothing more than people trying to escape the system by alternative forms of entertainment, other than just watching TV like the rest of the "normal" people do.
In essence, they are doing nothing to fix the situation, but they merely try to make it tolerable to themselves by pretending to be children again.There is also a comment to be made about the urbanization of the countryside and natural environment.The main message of the film is the death of dreams and emotions that we suffer in order to enter this kind of society and how the human psyche is tormented to the point of numbing itself and thinking that things such as money, success in the workplace and attractiveness are the symbol of happiness.
I think the only time I laughed was when the scene suddenly cut to Zach Galifianakis bench-pressing with his face in the trainer's crotch.This movie depicts a funny situation, but the lines and actions aren't funny when taken individually.
Zach Galifianakis is wonderful in the lead role, great acting all around, all the way down to the kooky guy on the pole vaulting mat.
I definitely recommend seeing this movie, it isn't your typical film..
Zach Galifianakis is the reason I wanted to see this film and was the reason I enjoyed it....
The movie has a simple message that serves a sweet ending to the fun that has been had and though the tribulations of George were at times harsh, the humor reigns supreme.
A feel good film that I hope you get the chance to try..
You also probably know how hard it is to find films like them."The Visioneers" fits squarely in that darker-than-dark category.
It also has a cold, brooding vibe similar to a Charlie Kaufman flick ("Being John Malkovich", "Synecdoche NY") or the great offbeat comedies "Punch Drunk Love" and "Joe Vs the Volcano" and maybe even a hit of Truffaut's 1966 "Fahrenheit 451" (especially concerning the mind-numbed wife constantly watching TV).Insanely funny minor characters, like Missi Pyle (one of Hollywood's funniest second-fiddles) playing the neurotically unbalanced talk show host who becomes obsessed with butter, or Ryan McCann playing "Mac Luster" the Zoolander-Meets-Rambo action hero, or Matthew Glave as the Nazi health trainer, keep the comedy rolling even though there isn't a big focus on zingers and not really much action at all.
A love story develops in the second half which is surprisingly sentimental and touching despite the outlandish circumstances surrounding the characters.The plot itself is a straightforward dystopian nightmare: in a not-so-distant future (though very reminiscent of the cheezy 1980s with laughably bad propaganda commercials), a mid-level manager played by Zach Galifianakis begins to "suffer" from the phenomenon of dreaming.
Be sure to consider it carefully before interpreting it.If you like any or all of these films I've mentioned, don't hesitate to rent or even buy "Visioneers" (by the way, if you live near a Dollar Tree store, you can find this great title brand new for exactly $1 which will leave you plenty extra to buy some popcorn (skip the butter...
that's a reference to a bizarre woman's butter obsession in the movie).When you consider it's been years, if not decades, since there's been a good absurd satire like this which is unafraid to dive boldly into the bizarre, this flick has all the makings of a modern classic.
Zach Galifianakis has lately one of my favorite actors, and hes great at keeping a face for the mood.The setting is also weird, most likely because a low budget, but the setting of this movie make it great.
Manny movies with a low budgets have done a great job at make a setting, a lot like this film dose.This film is for the people who are hard to entertain and not for the action type of people..
Brandon and Jared Drake have really accomplished something unique with their first feature film as a writer/director team, and I truly hope Visioneers finds the audience it deserves when the official release date finally arrives this summer.
The Drakes have crafted something a little more subtle and cohesive than that.In a better reality, personal and character-driven films like this one would dominate the box office.
Some parts of the movie were just tedious and annoying, and the humor felt like it was not thorough - silly if you will - which took away from the seriousness of this film and added no value to the themes.
Perhaps the directors intended it that way, but viewers have to pay attention to film's theme and subjects before watching."The Visioneers" is not anywhere close to "the Hangover"-type comedy, which would draw a crowd expecting slapstick humor,(and getting bored instead.) Although they compliment it really well, I wouldn't also compare this movie to "Doctor Strangelove" or even 1984 (which is a book, people, and I read it and Brave New World, too.
First off: I don't live or work in the corporate world of the US and I feel really sorry for anyone who gave this movie a positive rate.
Since this is seen as a good film, I was waiting and hoping until the very end for something to happen and the movie ended leaving me with a WTF on my mind.
"Visioneers" is extremely boring, and to some extend it is even aggravating that this movies received such a positive rating coming from people who are actually described as victims or let's say dehumanized employees.
Read international newspapers instead of watching movies like this!
Visioneers is a movie that's part comedy, part drama, and part Brazil.
The common theme of the positive reviews that try to refute the negative reviews seems to be that the people who didn't like this movie didn't understand the film or wanted something with fart jokes.The truth is this movie is plain and simply bad.
To the people who love it, I'm sure it seems profound - it might have to me back when I was young and naive and hadn't seen a hundred movies that have covered similar themes in a way that makes this look like it was cooked up and executed by film school dropouts.After writing that, I realize I should apologize to film school dropouts for the insult of associating them with this movie.It is billed as a black comedy but without any comedic moments that rise above an occasional and very slight "heh".
As a bonus it can function as a non addictive sleep aid.Only two things kept me watching this movie initially - the presence of Judy Greer and Missi Pyle - I've liked their work in the past.
Other filmmakers have been able to pull that off and add charm and flavor to their movies - on this one it just makes it feel even more amateurish.Sometimes film makers are so good they can put together weirdness, odd performances, and seemingly low quality production values in a kind of stealth approach and then, with their above average skill set, they bring it all together in a way that surprises the viewer.
A political satire of sorts, and Judy Greer has some really good lines at the end, after doing virtually nothing all movie..
Anyway, I get what the movie is trying to say and I think the message is a good one.I just don't care much for how it was said, and I don't think it has enough substance to fill out the 90 minute running time.Not terrible, but really not that great either..
Perhaps running a cell phone kiosk in a grocery store or selling bicycle tires door-to-door?George Washington Winsterhammerman (Zach Galifianakis) is a Level 3 employee of the Jeffers Corporation, also known as a Tunt.
Of course, tens of thousands of people are randomly exploding in George's world and dreams are one of the symptoms of that, so maybe there's only one good thing for him.
The Jeffers Corporation is an almost surreal place, yet it exists side-by-side with relatively normal people and places and ways of life.
Sometimes it's only a sign of people who aren't talented enough to make an entertaining film.There are better things to spend your time on than this motion picture.
I don't really give anything away though.I've read some reviews of this film that call say it presents a "dystopian" society.
(I was.) Towards the end of the film things start blowing up, so to speak, and this is where Galifianakis really shines.
I highly recommend this film to everyone, but I think there's only a certain group of people that are going to appreciate it.
But I'm getting ahead of myself.George Washington Winsterhammerman (Zach Galifianakis) works as a Level 3 tunt at the Jeffers Corporation, in the same room as Cindy (Fay Masterson) and Todd (Chris Coppola).
OK, so the Jeffers Corporation rules the world (or something like that), its official salute is the middle finger, and there is an epidemic of people randomly exploding into tiny pieces.
When people begin exploding from stress, George Washington Winsterhammerman (Zach Galifianakis) tries to ignore the epidemic and live his usual life, but then he suffers his first symptom.
It's impossible not to realize who the real life inspiration for Sahra is, and I don't want to spoil the happy ending, but Sahra blows her head off on national t.v. when she reads the final step toward happiness is: Happiness is being happy.I loved this movie.
A great example, and a real funny scene in the movie, is when George goes to the doctor because he's dreaming, which is common in people who explode.
After a series of hilarious tests, the doctor tells George, "Dreams cause instability and pain, that's why we don't talk about them." Visioneers is a satire and it touches on very real feelings about conformity, happiness, dreams, and exploding, but it never forgets its purpose is to make us laugh and it accomplishes that throughout the film.
George Washington Winsterhammerman (Zach Galifianakis) is a man working for the Jeffers corporation.
What I wasn't prepared for was how devastatingly accurate this film was.The world of Visioneers is a sort of dystopian future - there are no flying cars or food pills (in fact, I think the only cars in the movie are minivans) but it is still a grim depressing reality that the characters face every day.
It's not so far off that you can't see yourself in their world, and at times I felt like they had taken parts of the movie from my everyday life.Visioneers is an incredible movie.
I think anyone who's ever worked in an office in their life could relate to this movie.
The movie has already won the audience award at Cinevegas, which means that I'm not the only person who felt like this.
The plot and the acting makes you feel incredibly bored, and after a while, I really felt like I had to stop watching.
Same with the middle finger greeting.I really wish I hadn't watched the trailer as that told me absolutely everything that happened in the first half of the movie, nothing was a surprise.I just want to note that I loved The Hangover, and I do believe that Zach is a great actor, but this is his worst role ever.
A Jeffers day to you!I just wish they hadn't put that miserable ending on this great film.
Towards the end the main character walks around like a zombie without saying a word or giving any sign of human emotion as it all moves slowly to an ending you no longer care about.Problem is there is not enough story for even a one hour and thirty minute long film.