Flagpole Special
Flagpole Special

Movie spotlight

Flagpole Special

1998
Movie
17 min
English

Commissioned for Creative Time’s RET.inevitable in 1998, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Flagpole Special is a DV short showing John C. Reilly and Chris Penn from the waist down, riffing on pickup-seminar bravado that anticipates Magnolia’s “Seduce and Destroy.” Screened once under the Brooklyn Bridge and never released, it’s now regarded as a lost film.

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Director: Steve OedekerkGenres: Comedy, Mockumentary

Plot Summary

This mockumentary follows the bizarre and often nonsensical career of "master" comedian Kung Pao, from his early days to his supposed retirement. The film features interviews with fictional friends, rivals, and family members, all contributing to a surreal and comedic portrait of a man whose life is as outlandish as his alleged performances.

Critical Reception

Flagpole Special is a cult comedy known for its absurdist humor and Oedekerk's unique comedic voice. While it garnered a dedicated following for its unconventional style and bizarre jokes, it received mixed reviews from mainstream critics who found its humor too niche or nonsensical. It is often praised for its originality and its dedicated fanbase, who appreciate its departure from conventional comedic structures.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its unique brand of surreal and absurdist humor.

  • Appreciated by fans of Steve Oedekerk's distinctive comedic style.

  • Criticized by some for being overly nonsensical and lacking a clear narrative.

Google audience: Information not available.

Fun Fact

The film was initially conceived as a series of short comedy sketches by Steve Oedekerk, which were later compiled and expanded into this feature-length mockumentary.

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