For many comic book fans,James Gunn’sexistence only really came on their radar in 2014, withGuardians of the Galaxy. From there, he would move over to DC, where he now holds the position of Co-Chairman and Co-CEO of DC Studios. More recently, Gunn would direct one of the most discussed releases of the past decade in 2025’sSuperman. However, for those into indie films, Gunn would be a more recognizable name, having madethe beloved cult-classic superhero flickSuper,and to a lesser extent, his body horror filmSlither.Of course, for the most dedicated of cult movie buffs, Gunn would make a name for himself writing for Troma, penning one of the production company’s best films inTerror Firma.
Yet out of everything that James Gunn has worked on, one project remains relatively obscure, a mockumentary indie-comedy calledLolliLove,written and directed byThe Officealumna Jenna Fischer. Here, Gunn would also get a credit on the screenplay, but most notably, he would step into the lead role, the only time he has ever done so in his career. On paper, you would think that the movie would be heralded as a cult gem, butLolliLovehas been lost to time, arguably for a good reason.
James Gunn and Jenna Fischer Make a Charming Yet Flawed Pair in ‘LolliLove’
Built on an absurd premise,LolliLovefollows a self-absorbed couple, Jenna Fischer and James Gunn, playing exaggerated versions of themselves, as they share their goal with a camera crew to start a charity they believe can make a change. The charity, named LolliLove, aims to give the homeless population (using the language at the time of release) lollipops with uplifting messages to help get them out of the poverty they have found themselves in. This leads to awkward run-ins with the local population and a few violent altercations. Here, James often steps into the role of supportive husband, assuring Jenna that whatever happens, her charity is doing essential work.
The moviedelivered cringe-inducing comedythrough satire on white saviorism, performative charity, celebridom, and upper-class guilt. Yet,the film’s real strength still lies in the pairing of Gunn and Fischer, who were a real-life husband-and-wife duo at the time. While the two would separate in 2008, they play exaggerated versions of themselves and their relationship, poking fun at various subjects as a married couple is oddly endearing when you know their background. Moreover, as disillusioned and vain as the charity concept is, it is hard to hate the couple themselves, whose commitment to stupidity and each other remains charming.
LolliLovealso has that DIY spirit to filmmaking that instantly imbues it with a degree of admiration. It was Fischer’s only foray into directing. In the film’s special features, she would describe the process: “I madeLolliLovewith my ex-husband James Gunn. We shot it with a handheld camera in our apartment. I directed, wrote, and edited it. It was a labor of love… or madness.” This mentality of filmmaking has led to some great cult classics, and whileLolliLoveis not that, the spirit of what makes a great cult film is in the bones of the production.
The Charms of ‘LolliLove’ Wear Off When You Take a Step Back
LolliLovecertainly has aspects in its humor that remain relevant, perhaps even more so, to modern social discourse, specifically around disillusionment and an oversimplification of issues through narrow-mindedness; James and Jenna’s vapid and misguided characters feel like less of a parody today than they did back then. Yet,the success of both parties undermines whatLolliLoveis, with Gunn going on to work on some of the best comedies of all time, and Fischer becoming one of the most recognizable faces on TVwith her role inThe Office. The latter, in particular, is such a more sharply refined satire in comparison, not to mention the perfect comedicpairing of Jim and Pam, that it kills any comedic legacyLolliLovemay have had.
The most obvious shortcoming of the movie now is how dated its humor is.2004 was a different time, and with how society has progressed since then, much of the humor inLolliLovefeels exploitative. This is not to say that the film is intentionally mean-spirited, but instead, in the focus on mocking misguided upper-class morality, the film develops an unsavory otherism towards those in need. Although this humor passed in 2004, it does not stand up to modern scrutiny. If you may approach it with the original intent in mind,LolliLoveis a passable, at times charming, indie comedy, but why settle for less when you have better from both parties involved?
You can streamLolliLoveon Prime Video.
