For the
sake of not having to write the same intro a million
different ways throughout the rest of time, just know that
this column avoids the overly long and sometimes dull
process of full film reviews and instead opts to break
things down based on what I thought going in, what happened
while I was there and what I learned at the end of it all.
Thanks for reading!
The
Breakdown - Wanderlust
The Impression:
From trailers alone it seems that the David Wain of Wet
Hot American Summer has been devoured by the Hollywood
Comedy Monster David Wain that was just hinted at in Role
Models. It’s got Paul Rudd in it though (plus) and Ken
Marino (super plus) and the possibility of full frontal
nudity from Joe Lo Truglio (hmmmmm ...) and that’s enough
for me to at least give it a chance.
The Reality:
For 75 percent of the running time David Wain manages to
take the traditional Hollywood zany comedy structure and
work it to his advantage. The story is pure trite Hollywood
- a failed New York couple end up at a wacky commune and
zany, sexy things happen - but Wain and company (especially
Paul Rudd and Justin Theroux) manage to flex their comedic
chops strongly within the restricting structure. A scene
with Paul Rudd, a mirror, and a bevy of unchecked sexual
nerves is one of the most uncomfortable/hilarious scenes
I’ve seen in a while and I’m happy each and every time Rudd
adds another brush stroke to the beloved, slacker, stoner
dude persona he’s carved out for himself. It’s a pretty
straightforward comedy with a lot of crass humor and a
little bit of the inspired delirium that made shows like
Stella and The State so enjoyable but as the film
turns towards the landing strip it feels like Wain and
Marino were suddenly forced in to cliché lane. Not to ruin
the film, but everything wraps up just the way you thought
it would, belief stretching happy endings proudly on
display. It shackles the rest of the film. The perversity
and the attractiveness of the easy-going nature of the
script sacrificed to create something that seems potentially
more suited for a larger audience. It leaves the film
entertaining, but not mind-blowing, and with Wain and Marino
at the helm, that’s a major disappointment.
The Lesson:
Hollywood will consume you. Also, there’s a brief moment
with Michael Ian Black, David Wain, and Michael Showalter
that’s hilarious. When are these guys going to be fronting
big budget Hollywood comedies? That’s what I want to know.
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