Mr. Viral

Mr. Viral is a 2012 Canadian comedy-drama film directed by Brett Heard. The movie follows the life of a desperate and unsuccessful marketing agent, Martin Hurdle (played by Jefferson Brown), who is losing clients left and right. In a last-ditch effort to save his career, he creates a fake viral video that becomes an overnight sensation.

Martin is struggling to keep up with his boss's demands, and his girlfriend is pressuring him to get married. In the midst of all this, he sees a video online of a man slipping on a banana peel and getting hit in the face. Martin realizes that the video has gone viral, and the man in the video now has 10,000 Twitter followers. Inspired by this, Martin decides to create his own viral video to save his career.

Martin enlists the help of his best friend, Branch (played by Christian Lloyd), and a hapless intern, Jade (played by Alex Appel), to create the viral video. They shoot the video in Martin's apartment, where they pretend to be a couple engaged in a ridiculous dance-off. The video becomes an instant hit, and Martin becomes a viral sensation.

Martin's video is so successful that he is invited to appear on national television, and he becomes an overnight success. He is interviewed on talk shows, gets a book deal, and attracts the attention of major brands who want to work with him. But as his fame grows, Martin begins to realize the downside of his success. He becomes hyper-focused on increasing his follower count and maintaining his celebrity status, neglecting his personal relationships and causing tension between himself and his colleagues.

As Martin's fame continues to grow, he becomes increasingly paranoid, convinced that everyone is out to get him or steal his ideas. He alienates Jade and Branch, and his relationship with his girlfriend is strained to the breaking point. Martin is so obsessed with his fame and fortune that he loses sight of what is truly important in life.

The film explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the dangers of obsessing over social media fame. Martin's journey serves as a cautionary tale about the potential pitfalls of seeking fame and fortune at any cost.

The acting in Mr. Viral is solid, particularly Jefferson Brown's portrayal of Martin Hurdle. Brown conveys Martin's desperation and obsession with authenticity, making him a relatable and sympathetic character despite his flaws. Alex Appel also shines as Jade, the intern who becomes Martin's unlikely ally and voice of reason.

The film boasts an upbeat and catchy soundtrack, featuring songs from indie artists like Hey Ocean! and The Good Lovelies. The bright and colorful visuals add to the film's overall light-hearted tone, making it a fun and enjoyable watch.

In conclusion, Mr. Viral is a funny and charming movie that explores the pitfalls of social media fame through the eyes of a desperate marketing agent. The film's entertaining plot and relatable characters make it a must-watch for anyone who has ever been tempted by the lure of online fame.