The Definition of Insanity

IMDb RATING

8.3/10

103

YOUR RATING

Robert Margolis and Dylan Margolis in The Definition of Insanity (2004)

An international film festival hit, The Definition of Insanity stars co-director Robert Margolis (Morocco, Ed's Next Move, Criminals) as Robert -a New York actor who may or may not be himself- as he juggles work, family and sanity in this heartrending and hilarious film about one man's pursuit of the American Dream. Blurring the line between fact and fiction, a documentary crew follows Margolis obsessively from one failed audition to another, recording in raw detail his every humiliation and small triumph as he searches for that elusive perfect role that will catapult his career into the next level and, he hopes, save his marriage. When he finally scores his dream role in a film directed by the legendary Peter Bogdanovich (The Sopranos, The Last Picture Show,) his life reaches a profound turning point, and suddenly this award-winning film explodes in any number of unforeseen directions to deliver a frank and fresh testament to the burden of dreams.

Play trailer2:52

2 Videos

42 Photos

Comedy Drama

Robert is an actor who may or may not be himself in this film about acting, aging and the dark side of ambition. Filmed over the course of 18 months, as a documentary crew follows Robert fro... Read allRobert is an actor who may or may not be himself in this film about acting, aging and the dark side of ambition. Filmed over the course of 18 months, as a documentary crew follows Robert from one failed audition to another, recording in raw detail his every humiliation and small ... Read allRobert is an actor who may or may not be himself in this film about acting, aging and the dark side of ambition. Filmed over the course of 18 months, as a documentary crew follows Robert from one failed audition to another, recording in raw detail his every humiliation and small triumph as he searches for that elusive perfect role that will catapult his career into th... Read all

Directors
- Robert Margolis
- Frank Matter
Writers
- Robert Margolis
- Frank Matter
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.3/10

103

YOUR RATING

Directors
- Robert Margolis
- Frank Matter
Writers
- Robert Margolis
- Frank Matter
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 10 wins total

Videos2

Trailer 2:52

Film Trailer for The Definition of Insanity

Clip 1:32

Film Clip from "The Definition of Insanity"

Clip 1:32

Film Clip from "The Definition of Insanity"

Photos41

+ 36

User reviews4

8.3103

Featured reviews

8flyingbirdcolor

Struggling actor overload

THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY is a rather engrossing independent film that, for a film-maker or actor, hits home. For those who never had the chance to work on a film, it offers an unfiltered, entertaining look as to what makes us show-biz people click. Director Robert Margolis plays himself, or herself a struggling New York actor. While he searches for profitable and rewarding acting work, his loved ones grow impatient. The stress Margolis experiences is way too real. We see the people around him give him unfair time limits to hit it big. Margolis filmed something he knew. How he was going to film it only came second. Margolis didn't fall in the process of film-making, a opitfall for most low budget film-makers

10sara-kaine

Very funny and ultimately heartbreaking

This is a wonderful film. I first saw it at the Newport Beach Film Festival where it won the best feature film award. It stayed with me for a long time after that. I then had a chance to re-visit the film at a special Regal Cinema screening. The second viewing just blew me away. Ostensibly about an over-the-hill actor, "Insanity" also deals with relationships, dreams, & healing from trauma, just to name a few. Robert Margolis' performance is breathtaking in its authenticity. You really can't tell this guy is acting. By the end I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It's a moving, complicated, brilliantly structured film that hopefully will have a life well beyond the festival circuit.

10carend1965

Original, Informative and Entertaining!

Robert Margolis screened this film at the Sarasota Film Festival. The sold out show applauded after watching this creative film. Robert convinces the audience that this is a true tale of his life as an actor living in New York, trying to make it big. Well, he made it big with us. Mr. Margolis featured his adorable toddler son in the movie, who has a few cameos. As we watch Mr. Margolis audition for parts, and his response when he hears the results of the the audition, we feel like we know him and hope he gets the part! Throughout the movie you are rooting for your new friend, and hope that you can somehow persuade someone to give him the "big break" he wants so badly. He hit it right on the nose with this one, Good Luck Mr. Margolis.

8GormanBechard

funny, well-acted, and way too true to life

As a director I know first hand, all actors are crazy. That isn't an insult, ask any actor. In this funny and charming film, actor Robert Margolis illustrates why.

His performance is dead on, as the actor who just won't give up on his dream, at any cost. And yet as doomed as his career choices seem, you find yourself rooting for this guy, not to get his life together, but to finally get a damn break.

This is a perfect portrait of an artist gone mad. Someone so committed to their dream, that they'll keep making the same mistakes over and over in the hopes of one day getting it right.

I've been there. And this so rings true.

Long live the artist!