072 – I Heart Huckabees

Fox Searchlight celebrates their 25th anniversary this year, and this week we’re looking back at their ascension to the Oscar titan that they are today. While 2004 saw Sideways become instrumental in their rise, they also shepherded a different offbeat comedy ultimately too quirky for Oscar’s tastes: David O. Russell’s farce I Heart Huckabees. The film is a chaotic mix of existential theory, absurdist humor, and bonkers cameos from Jean Smart to Shania Twain – and we love it… with the bonnet. Notorious for the videos that surfaced years later of Russell and star Lily Tomlin in a profanity-laced verbal spar, Huckabees’ insanity makes sense in light of the many stories of Russell’s on-set behavior. This episode, we praise the film’s ensemble, recall the quirky indie comedy competition from Sideways and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and take a trip through Fox Searchlight’s history of This Had Oscar Buzz titles. And don’t forget to send us your questions for our upcoming mailbag episode! You have two more weeks to submit to us on Twitter (@Had_Oscar_Buzz) or email us at [email protected]! Follow Us on Twitter! @Had_Oscar_Buzz Joe: @joereid Chris: @chrisvfeil