"The Foot Fist Way" is a 2006 independent comedy film directed by Jody Hill and starring Danny McBride, Ben Best, and Mary Jane Bostic. The film follows the story of Tae Kwon Do instructor, Fred Simmons (Danny McBride), who runs a small martial arts studio in a strip mall in a small town in North Carolina. Simmons is a self-absorbed, delusional man who believes he is a martial arts master and idolizes a famous martial artist, Chuck "The Truck" Wallace (played by real-life martial artist, J. K. Simmons).
The film opens with Simmons teaching a class of mostly unenthusiastic students, including his wife Susan (Mary Jane Bostic), who is unhappy with their marriage and openly flirts with another student, Mike McAllister (Ben Best). As the film progresses, we see Simmons struggle to maintain control over his studio, his marriage, and his own self-perception as a martial arts master.
Throughout the film, Simmons is seen trying to improve his image by attending a martial arts convention where he meets his idol Chuck "The Truck" Wallace, but finds him to be a washed-up, drunken has-been. This realization causes Simmons to have a meltdown and he begins to lose control of his life. He starts to have an affair with one of his students, and his wife leaves him. Eventually, Simmons's life falls apart and he loses his studio, his wife, and his students.
The film is a dark comedy that satirizes the martial arts industry and the people who participate in it. The film is well-written, with great performances from the lead actors, particularly Danny McBride, who is hilarious as the deluded, self-absorbed Simmons. The film was well-received by critics and has a cult following.
The film opens with Simmons teaching a class of mostly unenthusiastic students, including his wife Susan (Mary Jane Bostic), who is unhappy with their marriage and openly flirts with another student, Mike McAllister (Ben Best). As the film progresses, we see Simmons struggle to maintain control over his studio, his marriage, and his own self-perception as a martial arts master.
Throughout the film, Simmons is seen trying to improve his image by attending a martial arts convention where he meets his idol Chuck "The Truck" Wallace, but finds him to be a washed-up, drunken has-been. This realization causes Simmons to have a meltdown and he begins to lose control of his life. He starts to have an affair with one of his students, and his wife leaves him. Eventually, Simmons's life falls apart and he loses his studio, his wife, and his students.
The film is a dark comedy that satirizes the martial arts industry and the people who participate in it. The film is well-written, with great performances from the lead actors, particularly Danny McBride, who is hilarious as the deluded, self-absorbed Simmons. The film was well-received by critics and has a cult following.