In the 1993 movie Matinee, John Goodman plays the role of famous movie mogul Joe Fowler, who arrives in a small Florida town in the midst of the Cuban Missile Crisis. His job is to show the locals a new horror film with incredible special effects to draw attention to his movie theater. But Fowler doesn’t just show the movie, he puts on a real show with fake monsters, pyrotechnics and extravagant stunts.

Meanwhile, the young hero, played by Gerard McRae, faces the difficulties of teenage life and at the same time explores the world of the movie, finding in this unusual show a chance for real friendship and understanding. “Matinee” is not just a retro movie, it is a kind of nostalgia for the golden age of cinema, when spectacular stunts and laughter were juxtaposed with excitement and wonder.

The movie perfectly combines elements of comedy and drama, offering viewers a fascinating look at the world of 50s cinema and how art could influence everyday life.