Father of Invention

Father of Invention is a 2010 American comedy–drama film directed by Trent Cooper, and stars Kevin Spacey, Camilla Belle and Johnny Knoxville.

Father of Invention
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Trent Cooper
Written by	Jonathan D. Krane Trent Cooper
Produced by	Jared Ian Goldman Kevin Spacey Ken Barbet Dana Brunetti Kia Jam Jonathan D. Krane Jason Sciavicco
Starring	Kevin Spacey Camilla Belle Heather Graham Johnny Knoxville Anna Anissimova Craig Robinson Virginia Madsen
Cinematography	Steve Yedlin
Edited by	Heather Pearsons
Music by	Nick Urata
Production companies	Pangea Media Sunrise Films K Jam Media Jonathan Krane Motion Picture Organization Horizon Entertainment Trigger Street Productions
Distributed by	Anchor Bay Films
Release dates	February 15, 2010 (2010-02-15) (Berlinale) October 14, 2011 (2011-10-14) (United States)
Running time	120 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$11.5 million[1]
Box office	$97,778 (Russia)[2]

Plot

Robert Axle, a New Orleans–based infomercial guru, loses it all when one of his inventions maims thousands of customers. After eight years in a maximum-security prison, Axle is ready to redeem his name and rebuild his billion-dollar empire. But first he must convince his estranged daughter to let him live with her and her quirky, over-protective roommates.

Cast

• Kevin Spacey as Robert Axle
• Virginia Madsen as Lorraine
• John Stamos as Steven "Steve" Leslie Thurmond
• Johnny Knoxville as Troy Coangelo
• Camilla Belle as Claire Elizabeth (formerly Axle but dropped the last name after her father went to prison.)
• Heather Graham as Phoebe
• Michael Rosenbaum as Eddie
• Anna Anissimova as Donna
• Craig Robinson as Jerry
• Rhoda Griffis as Penny Camp
• Jack McGee as Parole Officer
• Danny Comden as Matt James
• Marc Macaulay as Grocery Store Clerk
• Audra Marie as Businessman's Date
• Mary Elizabeth Cobb as Sheila
• Julia Lashae as Lily’s Mother

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes the film has a 0% rating based on reviews from 16 critics, with an average rating of 3.82/10.^[3] On Metacritic the film has a score of 36% based on reviews from eight critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.^[4]

Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter wrote: "Comedies don't get much more unfunny than Father of Invention, a lame and somewhat preachy comic take on a father trying to get back into his daughter's good graces."^[5]