The TV Set (2006)

Story: Mike Klein's (David Duchovny) pilot, The Wexler Chronicles, has been greenlit, but nearly every decision he makes is questioned by the network through Lenny (Sigourney Weaver). In the middle of all this is recent British import Richard McAllister (Ioan Gruffudd), who was brought in by the network to "class up the joint" and is struggling to find the balance.

This movie came out to fairly good notices last year, and it stars three people I like, so I looked forward to seeing it. It didn't open in my city. Zip finally sent me a copy, and it was broken. Fortunately, writer-director Jake Kasdan's semi-autobiographical feature was worth the wait.

Based on his and Judd Apatow's experiences making Freaks & Geeks, the details have that same funny/sad quality that characterized the show where you are laughing as you watch these people's lives unravel and Mike sell himself down the river in order to keep from crying. When you stop to think about it, it's hard to feel that bad about Apatow now given that he has a license to print money. The movie's too good to stop and think about it for long, though.

Thank goodness they decided that Lenny could be played by a woman because Weaver is perfect for it. She nails the obliviousness that comes from having too much power and being surrounded by yes-men for so long. Her normal, every day conversation delivery on the crassest of lines makes them hilarious.

There's an entertaining sad sack-off between Mike and Richard as well because neither one of them want to be the sad sack, and both of them agree with Mike's vision of the show over Lenny's. But they also both want to keep their jobs, and that's where the tension that breeds a lot of the comedy comes from. Richard's learning the aggression and ambition that his new job requires, but it seems like it could cost him his family. Mike has to decide between fighting the changes or taking them on the chin in order to support his family. Mike ends up in surgery; Richard stop shaving. It's a testament to both the actors and the writing that these things seem equally sad and hilarious, but particularly to Gruffudd who shines in a modern day role that doesn't involve super stretch abilities. He's a cerebral actor, capable of summoning a deep and complex inner life for his characters, and he deserves a second look. Plus, you know, dreamy.

The tagline refers to the movie as "A place dreams are canceled." If you can see how that's sad but funny, then you love this movie. If you can't, then, well, that's weird, man. You should get that checked out. I bet you wouldn't find Sigourvey Weaver yelling, "19 share, mother*ucker!" while popping open a champagne bottle and wearing a stuffed panda on her shoulder funny either. B+