Gigantic (2008)

Editor's Note GIGANTIC?s Brian Weathersby (Paul Dano) isn?t your average 28-year-old man. He sleepily works as a mattress salesman while he tries to fulfill his lifelong dream of adopting a Chinese baby. But Brian?s somnambulist state is interrupted by the arrival of Harriet Lolly (Zooey Deschanel), who prefers going by the name "Happy." She stops by the mattress store after her rich, bullying father (John Goodman) buys the most expensive bed on the salesroom floor, and she immediately draws Brian into her world. A romance with Happy beckons, but Brian is close to achieving his goal. Now if he could only avoid the violent attacks of the crazy homeless man who is stalking him.... Like many small black comedies, GIGANTIC is driven by its characters, an indie-rock soundtrack, and some seemingly random elements that set it apart from its studio counterparts. But GIGANTIC?s tiny status doesn?t mean that it is lacking in the casting department. LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE and THERE WILL BE BLOOD have demonstrated Dano?s range, and he plays a fully formed character here. Deschanel (YES MAN) again plays a vibrant, quirky love interest that will be familiar to viewers of indie films like GARDEN STATE and her own work in WEEDS and FLAKES. But the prize should really go to Goodman, who adds authenticity to his character?s strangeness, remaining likable even as he threatens the lives of Brian?s parents.

	Paul Dano
	Zooey Deschanel
	Edward Asner
	Jane Alexander
	John Goodman
	Zach Galifianakis
	Adam Nagata - Screenwriter
	Matt Aselton - Screenwriter
	Mindy Goldberg - Producer
	Christine Vachon - Producer
	Peter Donahue - Director of Photography
	Roddy Bottum - Music
	Joe Rudge - Music Supervisor
	Matt Aselton - Director

Chicago Sun-Times
"[T]he characters are interesting....The delicate relationship between Harriet and Brian is beautifully played by Deschanel and Dano..." 04/09/2009

Los Angeles Times
"[T]he offbeat comedy GIGANTIC remains quite the confident juggling act....A disarming tale that's one of the better independent films in recent memory." 04/17/2009

Total Film
3 stars out of 5 -- "Taking a cue from his leading man's minimalist, self-effacing performance, director and co-writer Matt Aselton has fashioned a wry homage to eccentricity..." 05/27/2009

Uncut
3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]here's an echo of Hal Ashby, or even Hal Hartley, in the subversion of easy truisms about relationships, and it's primary note -- mild anxiety -- may make it a cult favourite." 06/12/2010