Plot
After 8 years in prison, inventor Robert Axle struggles to win over his estranged family and catch up on current technology as he works to once again become the king of the infomercial.
Release Year: 2010
Rating: 5.7/10 (3,027 voted)
Critic's Score: 36/100
Director:
Trent Cooper
Stars: Kevin Spacey, Camilla Belle, Heather Graham
Storyline Robert Axle, an eccentric inventor turned ego maniacal infomercial guru, loses it all when one of his inventions maims thousands of customers. After 8 years in maximum security prison, Robert is ready to redeem his name and rebuild his billion dollar empire. But first, he must convince his estranged 22-year-old daughter to let him live with her and her quirky, over-protective roommates.
Writers: Jonathan D. Krane, Trent Cooper
Cast: Kevin Spacey
-
Robert Axle
Camilla Belle
-
Claire Axle
Heather Graham
-
Phoebe
Johnny Knoxville
-
Troy Coangelo
Anna Anissimova
-
Donna
John Stamos
-
Steven Leslie
Red West
-
Sam Bergman
Michael Rosenbaum
-
Eddie the Ex
Danny Comden
-
Matt James
Jack McGee
-
Parole Officer
Craig Robinson
-
Jerry King
Virginia Madsen
-
Lorraine
Marc Macaulay
-
General Store Clerk
Morgan Saylor
-
Young Claire (12)
Karen Kaia Livers
-
Maria
(as Karen Livers)
Taglines:
Sometimes the best ideas are homegrown
Release Date: 14 October 2011
Filming Locations: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Technical Specs
Runtime:
User Review
How reviews work
Rating:
If you find yourself coming to IMDb for a sneak peek at your next movie
outing, please remember this rule: reviewers who vote a film 8* or
more, if they have only one, or two at the most, reviews posted .. are
probably what the industry calls "sponsored reviewers" or, in layman's
terms, "professional bullsh**ers".
Unfortunately Father of Invention is one of those titles that the
parent studio feels needs sponsored reviews, as you can see for
yourself if you browse the few reviews here on IMDb (just click on the
Author's name in the review); the film isn't terrible, but apart from
Kevin Spacey doing his best, there really isn't much of a story to keep
it afloat.
Rober "Bob" Axel has just come out of jail for marketing a faulty
product (whait, what? do corporation chairmen go to jail for that? this
film must be set in a parallel universe where criminal charges apply
differently than real-life US), and he has to start again from the
bottom rung of society, trying to rebuild all he lost, including his
family, car, friends, and all that upper-crust stuff. He fails.
That's about it for a pretty mediocre film, with a very diminutive
script, truly awful supporting characters, middle of the road acting,
and lacklustre direction; Spacey is good, but the constraints of a
unimaginative ..everything .. leave him no space to shine.
Avoid this film if you can, there are too many boring and
inconsequential filler scenes in it to make this an easy sit-through,
even with friends. Instead, do go see something else out this week,
like Soldier Spy, Machinegun Preacher, 50/50, 1911, Heavy Times, or the
superb Drive. Anything really, but not this. Or Melancholia.
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