Kaelan Mccaffrey
Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.
Hattie
I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.
Kevin-94
When the people behind "Bart Got A Room" call it a film about a guy looking for a date for the prom, they mean just that. There's no emotional subtext whatsoever to this search. Why is it so important to him, and why should we care? Danny is such a blank slate, and the writing doesn't offer many insights into who he is as a person. Compare Danny in your mind with more interesting movie teenagers, like Max from "Rushmore" or Harold from "Harold and Maude," and you'll see what I mean. And the actor playing Danny does little to illuminate that he has any kind of inner life at all.Danny's parents are equally bland and uninteresting. The only truly insightful moment occurs when one of Danny's friends discussing going to the zoo with his mother. (The mother, a divorced woman, hates going to the zoo but is desperately trying to please her new boyfriend.) What is the film even about? Is it about the close friendship between Danny and Camille? But even after the hot girl turns him down, he decides to keep shopping around, rather than turn to Camille, which she herself acknowledges. The film doesn't provide any real scenes to establish the bond they share. (Sorry. Showing old photos of them as children and having narration isn't enough.) I thought the film might be about a boy choosing not to cross over the threshold from childhood to adulthood. Children like to have fun, play with their friends and bond with their parents. Young adults want to carve our their own identities, be independent, distance themselves from their parents and explore their sexuality. So which side does Danny ultimately fall down on – youth or maturity? The film (SPOILERS!) explains at the end that he chose to spend his prom night not with his peers but with his parents and his platonic friend. It further explains that the hotel room, that presumed symbol of sexual maturity, was used instead to play Boggle, a children's game, with his parents and platonic childhood friend.But then, that youth vs. maturity interpretation doesn't really work either. So many different directions the film could have gone in, and yet, in the end, the filmmakers never really chose a path.
Chris Kasztner
I laughed hard, several times throughout this festival film, and I can really saw that I'd like to show this movie to everyone that I know.Brian Hecker attended the screening and was kind enough to answer a couple of my questions, with the other audience members. He was warm and obviously enjoying his films equally warm reception by the crowd. You can see very much of himself is reflected in the authoring of this film.Danny's father could not have been anyone other than William H. Macy. Macy delivered a stellar performance, complete with his special brand of demented enthusiasm. Kaplan as well, has earned good grades in my book with his firmly believable delivery of Danny's desperation, and obsessive behaviour.I'll give this a ten, because nine doesn't feel right.
Jeff Beachnau
I saw this at the Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuck, Michigan.Bart Got a Room is a funny and clever film starring Steven Kaplan as Danny Stein, a senior in high school who isn't sure what to do about the Senior Prom. His best friend Camille who he's known for many years (Alia Shawkat) seems like the obvious choice, but after another friend mentions that everyone that's going to prom has gotten a hotel room for the big night, Danny realizes he needs someone other than his "best friend" to take back to a hotel room.This film is very well made an well written. Kaplan is a natural actor, he does a wonderful job playing Danny, he's like a teenage Woody Allen, having trouble finding someone to go out on a date with and not knowing how to talk to women. And Cheryl Hines and William H Macy are also perfect as Danny's separated parents. Macy is a delight having many of the big laughs in the film, which I'm sure is increased by his hilarious hair. John Polito is great as well playing Cheryl's new love interest. And there's also a funny cameo near the end of the film.Writer/Director Brian Hecker made a great teen comedy. The audience at the screening loved it, applauding many times throughout. Seek this one out, it's a very entertaining film that's sure to please. See it then spread the word.Oh, and be sure to stay for the end credits.
signupname1960
The plot is tender, heartwarming, funny as can be, and has an ending that will surprise and please. This is a comedy of coming of age and struggles with life that is new, fresh and innovative. While looking at timeless issues, it does all this without a trite moment! Although it's hard to laugh and cry at the same time, this movie makes you do it.The acting is superb, especially Steven Kaplan's. His portrayal of the teenager struggling with desire vs. true feelings will remind every adult of their own teen age struggles, and be will be familiar to every teenager.Kaplan's portrayal of Danny is Truly Brilliant--his ability to deadpan the funniest scenes brought true belly laughs from the audience at the premiere showing. See him now so you can tell everyone in a few years that you saw his debut performance. This is an actor whose name will be familiar to all of us in just a few short years.
