Watch Trust Me

Clark Gregg wrote, directed, and starred in Trust Me, a dark comedy that followed the life of a struggling Hollywood talent agent named Howard Holloway. Gregg plays Holloway, who represents young child actors and is desperately trying to land a new gig to make up for his past failures to secure any big roles. The film explored the complex dynamics of Hollywood as Holloway navigated his career and personal life. While dealing with the typical Hollywood agents and executives, he also had to balance a fragile romance with his neighbor Marcy, played by Amanda Peet.

Gregg was supported by an impressive ensemble cast featuring Felicity Huffman, William H. Macy, Allison Janney, Sam Rockwell, and Saxon Sharbino. Each delivered nuanced performances that added depth to their respective characters.

Holloway's struggles to land his young clients in quality projects seemed to be what dictated his life. His daily routine consisted of convincing producers and directors that his children were worth hiring, all while dodging the usual pitfalls of Hollywood. He found himself constantly at odds with his rivals, including his former boss and now competitor, Aldo (Macy).

Trust Me highlighted the harsh realities of the entertainment industry that can ultimately dictate the fate of young and impressionable child actors. Gregg did a great job of blending humor and dark elements throughout the film to speak on these issues. For example, at one point, we see a young actress who was forced to undergo several unnecessary plastic surgeries to look the part in her next project.

In addition, the film examined the intense pressure that comes with performing artistic endeavors, whether it's auditioning for a role, presenting a script, or attending a premiere. This pressure was brilliantly captured in the film's comedic moments, like when Rockwell's character, a rival agent, would try to sabotage Holloway's attempts to land his child clients in key projects.

Throughout the film, Holloway struggled to stick to his morals while navigating Hollywood's murky waters. His relationship with Sharbino's character, a talented young actress named Lydia, proved to be the anchor that kept him fighting through it all. The two had an undeniably strong connection, as Holloway's own past struggles allowed him to empathize with Lydia's obstacles in the industry.

Trust Me tackled the topic of the sexualization of young actors and the grooming that can take place by both agents and producers. This was seen in one of the film's most powerful moments, as Janney's character grapples with the fact she was aware of a situation where a young actress was pressured into a sexual role but couldn't do anything about it.

In conclusion, Trust Me was a compelling and insightful film that offered a unique look at the nuances of the entertainment industry. The performances from the ensemble cast were fantastic, and Gregg's direction ensured that the film delivered both sharp humor and dark elements. It's a must-watch for anyone who wants to get a glimpse of what it takes to succeed in Hollywood and the severe costs to get there.

Trust Me is a 2014 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 29 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 51.