The Chosen One (2010 film)

The Chosen One is a 2010 comedy-drama film directed by and starring Rob Schneider as a car salesman facing a midlife crisis with the aid of native Colombian shamans.[1] It also stars Steve Buscemi,[2] Holland Taylor, and Peter Riegert.

The Chosen One
Theatrical release poster
Directed byRob Schneider
Produced byJoe Q. Bretz
Boon Collins
Scott Dolezal
Chris Luu
John Schneider
Rob Schneider
Written byBoon Collins
Rob Schneider
StarringRob Schneider
Steve Buscemi
Holland Taylor
Peter Riegert
Music byJeff Rona
CinematographyKees Van Oostrum
Edited byGreg Babor
Richard Halsey
Release date
  • September 3, 2010 (2010-09-03)
Running time
101 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

A depressed car salesman (Rob Schneider) is repeatedly interrupted in the act of suicide by a coworker from the Nissan dealership, a beautiful woman translator (Carolina Gómez), 3 native American shamans of the Arhuaco people from the mountains of Colombia,[3] and a phone call from his mother (Holland Taylor). He finally finds faith in himself after the rest of world puts its faith in him. The sole being on earth who can save mankind from its own destruction with trust - The Chosen One.

Cast

Production

Release of the film was delayed for three years; this may have been due to uncertainty over how to market the film, as this movie which is primarily dramatic was inaccurately marketed as a straightforward comedy.[4][5] There was also a lawsuit from Schneider's collaborator Bob Rubin in 2008 over a fee he felt he was due for helping to arrange financing for the film.[6] The movie was eventually completed and released direct to video by Chosen One Productions RS LLC.[7]

Reception

Critical response

Film Critics United, a pseudo-anonymous on-line movie review website,[8] wrote that Schneider gave a good performance, but the film failed due to other factors including its muddled plot.[5] Brian Orndorf described it as an attempt at a more serious dramatic role, but was critical, finding the film a failure.[4] Qwipster found the narrative "lazy" and the plot too bizarre to take seriously, scoring it 2/5 while praising Schneider's restrained performance.[3] DVD Verdict gave it a middling rating.[9]

2012 Lawsuit

In 2012, Schneider, his brother John Schneider, and the film's production companies (Chosen One Productions RS LLC, Chosen One TWF LLC, and The Chosen One RS LLC) were sued by financial backers to recover a $1.5 million investment.[10] The plaintiffs alleged that the defendants had breached contracts with the plaintiffs and fraudulently induced the plaintiffs into investing in membership interests in one of the film's production companies. George and Nancy Gamble, a married couple, say that in 2008 they were persuaded to invest $1.5 million to complete postproduction work on "The Chosen One," and claim they were never repaid. According to Schneider, "The claims are flatly contradicted by the language of the contracts. The [plaintiffs] made an investment in the movie, with no guarantee of success."[11]

On March 6, 2013, their lawsuit against Rob Schneider was moved from San Francisco to L.A. Superior Court.[7] Legal counsel for Rob Schneider said in a statement: "The Gambles’ lawsuit is frivolous. The Gambles made an investment in the film, with no guarantee of success."

Notes
  1. Bartlett, Jean (Dec 16, 2010). "Rob Schneider's Thought-Provoking Film 'The Chosen One' Asks for and Provides a Little Faith". San Jose Mercury News.
  2. "Rob Schneider". Beat Magazine. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  3. Leo, Vince. "The Chosen One". Qwipster. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  4. Orndorf, Brian. "DVD Review - The Chosen One". BrianOrndorf.com. Retrieved November 12, 2010.
  5. Armstead, Christopher. "The Chosen One". Film Critics United. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  6. "Rob Schneider's Chosen Lawsuit". E! Online. Mar 5, 2008. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  7. Block, Alex Ben (March 6, 2013). "Film Investors' Lawsuit Against Rob Schneider Moves to L.A. Superior Court". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  8. Armstead, Christopher (2006). "Who Are We". Film Critics United. Retrieved October 5, 2013.
  9. Gibron, Bill (December 15, 2010). "The Chosen One". DVD Verdict. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  10. Tartre, Dave (Dec 3, 2012). "Investors Demand $1.5M from Rob Schneider". Courthouse News Service. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  11. Kenneally, Tim (Dec 3, 2012). "Rob Schneider Sued for $1.5M by Film Investors". The Wrap. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
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