Fatty Drives the Bus is a 1999 independent comedy written and directed by Mick Napier. The movie is a parody of the movies that had come before it that covered similar journey plotlines. The plot of the movie follows a group of improvisers traveling from Chicago to New York City to perform in an improv festival. The lead character of the movie is Fatty, a naive, overweight man who agrees to drive the bus for the group. The rest of the group consists of improvisers, who constantly joke and play off of one another. Throughout the movie, the group faces various obstacles and mishaps, leading to an interesting journey filled with humor and hilarity.
The movie begins with Fatty, a consistently down-on-his-luck character, attempting to gain some control over his own life. Despite his constant struggles and being regarded as undesirable by many, Fatty shows his determination when he decides to take on the task of driving the group to New York City. As the group hits the road, Fatty's inexperience behind the wheel leads to several comical situations, and as the trip progresses, it becomes clear that Fatty is not the ideal driver.
Along the way, the group faces several obstacles, including a run-in with an angry truck driver, a botched gas station robbery, and even an encounter with a Bigfoot. Through each mishap, the group's improvisational abilities shine through as they quickly adapt and turn the situations into jokes and humor.
The movie is filled with hilarious scenes, incorporating improv and slapstick comedy. The characters all have their own unique quirks and personalities, and their interactions with each other are what make the movie such a joy to watch. There is constant banter and wit throughout the entire film, ensuring that there is never a dull moment.
Scot Robinson portrays Fatty, the lovable but inexperienced driver, and delivers an excellent performance, making the character heartwarming and funny. Joe Bill plays his best friend and improvisation partner, Randy, and Ken Manthey is the group's self-righteous director, Rick. The rest of the cast also puts in excellent performances, making the movie a true ensemble piece.
The movie is a low-budget production, and this can show in some of the special effects, particularly in the scenes with Bigfoot. However, the movie's comic relief makes up for these minor shortcomings. The characters and their interactions with each other, along with the movie's improvisational nature, are the real driving force behind the comedy.
Fatty Drives the Bus is a fun and lighthearted movie that will have viewers laughing and entertained throughout. The movie offers a unique perspective on the journey plotline, making it a refreshing and enjoyable watch. The character dynamics, improv comedy, and hilarious situations that the group faces make the movie a must-see for any comedy fan.
Overall, Fatty Drives the Bus is an offbeat and unique gem of a movie. If you're looking for a comedy that will have you laughing out loud, then this is definitely one to watch. Fatty's journey, along with the rest of the group, is an unforgettable, comical ride that is worth taking.
Fatty Drives the Bus is a 1999 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes.
It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.0.
