The Exquisite Corpse Project
The Exquisite Corpse Project

Movie spotlight

The Exquisite Corpse Project

2012
Movie
85 min
English

In this first-of-its-kind crossover comedy, director Ben Popik brings together five comedy writers, and surprises them with a challenge: to each write fifteen pages of a movie, having read only the previous five pages of the script. They agree with one stipulation: If they write the movie, he has to make it. It's a comedy, a love story, a psycho-sexual thriller, and a supernatural adventure all in one. Meanwhile, documentary footage of the writing process provides an inside look into the often-hilarious creative process, as well as the group dynamics that make collaboration between friends difficult.

Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes60%
Metacritic55/100
Google Users70%
Director: Rob MeyerGenres: Comedy, Drama

Plot Summary

The film follows a young woman who, after the sudden death of her boyfriend, discovers his plan for a surreal, collaborative film project. Driven by a desire to understand him and fulfill his vision, she enlists his friends and colleagues to complete the bizarre cinematic endeavor. As they work through the fragmented scenes, they grapple with grief, memory, and the unpredictable nature of creativity.

Critical Reception

The Exquisite Corpse Project received a mixed to positive reception, with critics generally praising its unique premise and performances, particularly from Michelle Trachtenberg. Some found its surreal elements occasionally disjointed, while others appreciated its experimental approach to exploring themes of loss and artistic expression.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its creative and unconventional narrative structure.

  • Michelle Trachtenberg's performance as the lead is frequently highlighted as a strong point.

  • Some critics found the film's ambition occasionally outweighed its coherence.

Google audience: Audiences generally found the film to be an interesting and thought-provoking watch, appreciating its unique artistic vision and emotional core, although some noted its unconventional style might not appeal to everyone.

Fun Fact

The film's title refers to a surrealist game where each artist adds to a composition in sequence, unaware of what the previous person has done, reflecting the film's collaborative and fragmented nature.

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