In mockumentary DAVE VS. HOLLYWOOD director Brad Dickson serves up a steaming plate of cringe in the life story of Dave (Preston Tyler Ward ), a struggling actor. In interviews and auditions Dave exhibits unearned optimism about his career. He’s a never-was, never-will-be who still believes in the dream. After moving to L.A. without connections or prospects, nothing has changed years later. But, Dave is a positivity and self-help devotee, so he’s intent on making it and believes he will, despite all evidence to the contrary. Trouble is, he can’t act, and has the personality of a potato.
In the meat market of Hollywood, Dave’s debasement is compounded with each attempt as he aggressively circles the drain. He conceives an idea about how to make his mark by taking a non-traditional “anything goes” approach that is, to say the least, questionable.
Speaking of “anything goes,” one of the greatest recent stories in micro-budget Indie films continues when Eric Roberts appears as himself in a brief cameo. Roberts has been doing these one-scene appearances in small films for years, and he is brilliant in his willingness to pop in, say a line or two, and disappear. Roberts still has acting chops and dazzling screen presence. It’s been a long time since Star 80, but we remember. He could still carry a film, perhaps as a villain or sidekick.
“… Eric Roberts’ strategy to say yes to everything continues …”
The situation picks up steam with the appearance of Dave’s acting partner, Jen (Chloe Paige Flowers). She sees Dave as a mentor and friend, and looks to him to guide her career. Mainly her exposure is coming from social media as a product influencer.
The only character worse at their job than Dave is his ridiculous agent, Sean (Josh Hooks), who scrambles to get Dave any kind of job and winds up sending him for roles as a butt-double. As Dave sinks lower into despair, the energy and humor of the film take off. In a world where you don’t beat Hollywood, and it beats you instead, can Dave pull off a coup and find success? In DAVE vs. HOLLYWOOD, Dave’s burgeoning cynicism could be what saves him.
Ward doesn’t hold back as Dave, unselfconsciously stumbling through his terrible, dignity-free life with a smile and a positive outlook, though it’s clear it’s never going to happen for him.This is familiar territory as the “failing artist trying to make it through awful agents and heartless casting directors” portrait has been done so often it’s practically a trope at this point. This is Jeanine in This is Spinal Tap saying “Oh, no! I told them once, I told them a hundred times: put ‘Spinal Tap’ first and ‘Puppet Show’ last.” Satirical cringe of this nature is along the same lines as Seth Rogen’s series The Studio, but with no famous actors (except Roberts).
While it starts humorous, the joke wears thin soon enough, and we’re more than ready to see the undignified depths to which Dave will go to get traction in the business. He does not disappoint. As the credits roll to ELO’s Livin’ Thing, there will be nervous laughter, partly because of the insane comedy, and partly because it’s over.
Learn more at the official DAVE vs. HOLLYWOOD website.
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