Man of the Century . Austin Chronicle . 03-29-99

Man of the Century

DIRECTED BY: Adam Abraham

REVIEWED: 03-29-99

The smashing, dangerously charming Man of the Century follows Johnny Twennies, a fast-talking, stogie-chomping Depression-era newspaperman out of time, strangely (and brilliantly) oblivious to the modern world of sex, television, and other late-20th-century amenities swirling all around him. Played to the nines by the wondrously physical Gibson Frazier (who also co-wrote and co-produced with Abraham), Johnny whisks around the city, rescuing the occasional damsel in distress, cleft chin jutting out, wide eyes brimming with glass-half-full enthusiasms, caring not a flip for all our dour-faced, existential Nineties cynicism. Don't think such a gimmicky premise could possibly sustain a full-length narrative? Banana oil! It does, and from the first few frames to the classic, big-band finale and in between, Man of the Century had me aching with laughter and quite simply in love with our dashing hero, a charming amalgam of Twenties sensibilities and the razor-tongued wiseguys of Thirties' studio films. Although reminiscent of the silver-screen homages of Woody Allen, Steve Martin, and even Mike Meyers as shagadelic out-of-timer Austin Powers, Abraham and Frazier's film still feels totally fresh and original. Man of the Century is an unforgettable movie experience, a remarkable debut just brimming with unforgettable characters and moments -- and that, my friends, is a real-life happy ending.

--Sarah Hepola

Interviews
Man of the Century

Full Length Reviews
Man of the Century

Film Vault Suggested Links
Sugar Town
Jawbreaker
Susan's Plan

Rate this Film
If you don't want to vote on a film yet, and would like to know how others voted, leave the rating selection as "Vote Here" and then click the Cast Vote button.