Maverick director Tony Kaye (American History X) presents a raucous, adrenaline-fueled comedy that follows Jack Flex (Vito Schnabel), a penniless, muscle-bound "creative genius" who maniacally pursues his dream of appearing on his mother's favorite home shopping channel to sell the Heavy Hat — an obviously dangerous fitness gadget that supposedly "increases the flow of Hope Molecules to the brain." When Jack convinces a desperate network staffer to give him his big break, there's just one problem: his pitch is filled with lies about being a Hollywood trainer who has celebrity endorsements. With only one week to fulfill his promises before his chance at success vanishes, Jack careens through Los Angeles in an increasingly frantic quest to prove himself. 

Kaye's frenetic visual style perfectly complements this absurdist satire of American hustle culture and the fitness industry's snake oil salesmen. Schnabel fully commits to the delusional intensity of Jack Flex, creating a character whose unbridled ambition and self-delusion make him both ridiculous and strangely sympathetic. The supporting cast, including Julia Fox, Steven Van Zandt, Paris Hilton and Lenny Kravitz, adds colorful dimensions to this oddball odyssey across Los Angeles. The film’s willingness to push the boundaries of both style and substance results in a production that feels constantly on the verge of spinning out of control — much like its protagonist. An uncompromising, visually inventive comedy that skewers American dreams and delusions with equal enthusiasm, Kaye delivers a uniquely chaotic vision that defies easy categorization.—Jarod Neece

Tony Kaye