Today’s quick review: Pottersville. Maynard Greiger (Michael Shannon) is the kind-hearted owner of the general store in Pottersville, a small town that has fallen on hard times. When he catches his wife Connie (Christina Hendricks) in a compromising situation with Sheriff Jack (Ron Perlman), he goes on a drunken rampage in a gorilla suit. Much to his surprise, he’s mistaken for Bigfoot, kicking off a media frenzy that breathes new life into Pottersville.
Pottersville is a comedy about a generous man who finds himself at the center of an outrageous hoax that could save his beloved town. The plot centers around the Bigfoot craze that sweeps Pottersville and Maynard’s decision whether to perpetuate the hoax or come clean. Pottersville features a town full of offbeat characters and a talented comedic cast. However, a bare-bones plot and a lack of standout jokes keep it from greater comedic success.
Pottersville’s greatest strength is its town full of odd characters. Everyone in Pottersville is a little strange, from Maynard’s inhuman patience to the curmudgeonly attitude of the local hunter (Ian McShane) to the raw egotism of the TV star (Tom Lennon) who comes to investigate Bigfoot. The movie is clever in its treatment of its characters: their motives are just transparent enough to tell jokes at their expense without making them unlikable.
Pottersville is at its best when it gets the chance to drop a few of its characters in an odd situation. The cast has a nice chemistry together that feeds into the movie’s small-town atmospere. But Pottersville doesn’t pack enough punch to make the most of its cast. The jokes are more amusing than hilarious, and the story could do with an extra subplot or two to feel less linear. The result is a pleasant but insubstantial holiday comedy.
Pottersville is worth a watch when you’re in the mood for something simple and feel-good. Neither its story nor its sense of humor is ground-breaking, but the combination of a charming premise and an interesting cast makes it worth a watch for those who are curious. Those looking for a raunchier comedy with bigger laughs or bigger surprises may want to steer clear. For a similar flavor of low-key, heartfelt comedy, try Be Kind Rewind.
5.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for a strong cast hurt by a script that doesn’t have much impact.