Archive for Comedy

IDENTITY THIEF (2013)

Posted in 2013, Comedies, Kelly Laymon Reviews, R-Rated Comedy, Raunchy Fun, Slapstick with tags , , , , on February 13, 2013 by knifefighter

Steal This Movie!  Please!
Review by Kelly Laymon

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IDENTITY THIEF, released on Friday, February 8, 2013, serves up a familiar formula: the odd couple road trip movie.  With an angle for current events, we find stable family man Sandy Bigelow Patterson (Jason Bateman) receiving a phone call from “Diana” (Melissa McCarthy) notifying him that his identity has been compromised and needs all of his information for a LifeLock type of service.  However, THAT is “Diana’s” ploy to get the necessary details to create credit cards, a license to drive, etc..

As the real Sandy is preparing to leave his current job to join a start-up by his fellow angry co-workers (and expecting a third child with his wife), Diana-Sandy is on a shopping spree.  And drinking spree.  And fighting spree.  When the police show up at Sandy’s brand new office because he missed his court date (and they see the mug shot), the pieces start falling together.  His credit card is then declined at the gas station, and so on.  Adding insult to injury is the fact that Sandy works in finance and being trusted with money is key to his ability to keep his brand new job.

Because of stupid jurisdiction rules and regulations, the police won’t take care of the situation.  So, Sandy decides to fly down to Florida, catch this criminal, and get her back to Colorado so he can clear his name.  On top of pissing off Sandy, she has also run afoul of some black market identity sellers and has a bounty hunter (Robert Patrick) after her.

And, as I always like to say, wackiness and hilarity ensue.

In my THIS IS 40 (2012) review, I described Melissa McCarthy as having a comedy style that beats viewers over the head.  That description is even more true in this case.  If Melissa McCarthy was in GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS (1992), her motto would be, “ABM (Get it?  A BM?) – Always Be Mugging if you want the big laughs.”  Most of her gags rely on ridiculous physical comedy, whether it’s getting bonked on the head Three Stooges-style or an insane car crash.

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By the same token, we have an unusually restrained performance (take that with a grain or two of NaCl) by Eric Stonestreet as one of McCarthy’s sexual conquests.  Stonestreet is most popularly known as Cam from MODERN FAMILY (ABC), where he vacillates between over-the-top and slightly less over-the-top.

That’s not to say there aren’t some clever lines.  I found most of the humor in Bateman’s dry, sarcastic, slow-burn, which he does so well.  Even in lesser fare like IDENTITY THIEF and THE CHANGE-UP (2011), Bateman’s always worth it. However, don’t let the comparisons to MIDNIGHT RUN (1988) and PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES (1987) fool you.

I have a feeling that a person’s enjoyment of this film hinges on how much that person loves Melissa McCarthy.  In my case, I enjoyed her in 2011′s BRIDESMAIDS.  However, I’d be hard-pressed to come up with much I didn’t enjoy about that film.  I’ve only seen a handful of episodes of her TV series, MIKE & MOLLY (CBS), but I’ll give her credit that she does an admirable job with some truly terrible material on that show.  In this film, she’s too much.  For me, “too much” doesn’t always equal funny.

© Copyright 2013 by Kelly Laymon

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THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT

Posted in 2012, Comedies, Kelly Laymon Reviews, R-Rated Comedy with tags , , , , , on May 1, 2012 by knifefighter

THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT (2012)
Movie Review by Kelly Laymon

As you may gather from the title, THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT is about trying to make it to the altar, and the complications along the way. The film opens with a cute proposal by Tom (Jason Segel) and deals with the early stages of planning a wedding with his fiancée, Violet (Emily Blunt). However, for this San Francisco couple, she’s hoping for a research position at the nearby University of California, Berkeley. She doesn’t get in, but she IS offered an academic research position at the University of Michigan. So, they make a decision to postpone the wedding and move to Michigan for two years so she can follow her dream. Once they get there, sous chef Segel has a hard time finding work and ends up at a weird little sandwich shop where the owner at least appreciates his talent.

Things deteriorate from there. Segel buddies up to another faculty husband, played by former SNL-er and semi-annoying current comedy staple, Chris Parnell. He introduces Segel to outdoor activities such as hunting, which leads to an unnecessary physical comedy gag involving a cross-bow and Blunt’s leg. And on her end, the time in Michigan includes a skeevy older professor who has his sights on her.

Jason Segel, who again co-wrote the script with Nick Stoller (FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL (2008), THE MUPPETS (2011)), and Emily Blunt make a believable couple. They don’t seem like two stars who have been plunked down together for the sake of demographics and marketing. Segel’s Tom is like another version of FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL’s Peter Bretter, except perhaps less stable and more self-destructive. But, hey, Segel’s good at that kind of role: the troubled yet sweet and funny Everyman. And, as with FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL, the script follows a less-than-Hollywood-cookie-cutter format, which I appreciate. I’d like to stop every screenwriting class in the world from reading that horrible Syd Field guy.

It’s worth noting that Segel and Blunt have worked together in the past. They co-starred in GULLIVER’S TRAVELS (2010) and she had a very memorable cameo in THE MUPPETS, in which she reprised her character from THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA (2006). I attended a 12:01am showing of that one, on opening morning, and her cameo received the second-biggest reaction of the film. But, back to the film at hand…having a female lead who is known for more dramatic work was a nice change of pace, since Blunt hasn’t been in tons of romantic comedies, pratfalling over Hugh Grant, Matthew McConaughey, etc..

Although the two stars are very likable, funny, and real, some of the best energy comes from the supporting players. Chris Pratt (PARKS & RECREATION, currently on NBC) plays Segel’s goofy buddy and co-worker, who ends up with the job he walks away from for Michigan. Pratt’s character also hooks up with, impregnates, and marries Blunt’s sister, played by Allison Brie. As a huge COMMUNITY (currently on NBC) fan, I shocked even myself when it took me half of the film to recognize Brie. I just thought it was some new unknown Brit!

Jason Segel and Emily Blunt in THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT.

Blunt’s research group features the wonderful Mindy Kaling (THE OFFICE, also currently on NBC). Kaling repeatedly elevates the catty, sarcastic, almost-Valley Girl attitude, and way of speaking, to an art form. She almost always makes me laugh out loud.

All in all, this is a solid FOUR KNIFE film. It’s enjoyable and free of just about all annoying romantic comedy clichés. The dialogue is very realistic and some of the throw-away lines are the true highlights. I noticed a lot of criticism online about its “excessive” length. This complaint has been heavily thrown at most films produced by Judd Apatow for the past few years, but I have yet to agree with any of those accusations. THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT never dragged for me. The characters are likable and the dialogue is funny, so I don’t mind spending two or more hours with them.

© Copyright 2012 by Kelly Laymon

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THE CHANGE-UP

Posted in 2011, Comedies, Kelly Laymon Reviews, R-Rated Comedy with tags , , , , on August 9, 2011 by knifefighter

The Freaky Switch of a Change-Up
Movie Review by Kelly Laymon

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard about THE CHANGE-UP by now.  I knew there was a huge promotional campaign for the film, but only realized how hardcore it was when, while driving my mom to the airport on Saturday afternoon, we both recited Ryan Reynolds and Jason Bateman’s answers to radio interview questions.

THE CHANGE-UP is an adult take on FREAKY FRIDAY (1976).  Very adult.  Jason Bateman plays Dave Lockwood, a successful lawyer and married father of three.  Ryan Reynolds is Mitch Planko, a single stoner who works as an “actor” and has no responsibilities.  They are buddies from way back, but while out drinking one night, they piss in a magical fountain and say to each other, “I wish I had your life.”  They shouldn’t have crossed the streams.

The next morning, they wake up in each other’s body and life, then wackiness ensues.  What follows is expected.  Bateman’s character has a big presentation at work, the daughter has a dance recital, life lessons are learned, etc..

Jason Bateman has been very funny in a lot of films over the past few years, but usually as the straight man.  Due to the plot involving the switch, he gets to stray from that a bit once he becomes the Ryan Reynolds character.  This one is for the ladies: Jason Bateman has a nude scene.  I remember feeling like Mr. Skin when I got out of HOT TUB TIME MACHINE (2010) on opening night.  I immediately texted a few of my female friends to tell them that John Cusack was naked for a split second.  You’re welcome, girls!

I am generally not a Ryan Reynolds fan.  I don’t dislike him, but I don’t like him much either.  And I’m a huge fan of DEFINITELY, MAYBE (2008), in spite of him.  And he’s good this time.  He’s not just a pretty boy.  He can be funny.

Judd Apatow staple Leslie Mann plays Bateman’s wife, Jamie.  As any comedy fan would expect, she makes the most of The Thankless Wife role she’s stuck with.  Her most daring scene has, unfortunately, been played to death in the trailers.  It involves Thai food and diarrhea.  This has been quite the year for women and diarrhea scenes.  This one is more realistic than the two in BRIDESMAIDS (2011), though there’s something about making twosies in a bathroom sink or at a curb in the street that continues to put fear in my heart.  And I have started the Sink Vs. Street debate with almost every woman I know.

I wanted more Alan Arkin .  If only just to further erase any memory of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE (2006).

I couldn’t help but think how much more interesting or funny it would have been or could have been with one change in casting.  The two leads are good looking dudes.  I’m told that Ryan Reynolds is “hot” and “sexy”.  I don’t get it, but, whatever.  Jason Bateman is quite easy on the eyes.  No argument there.  But it seems like there could be more to play with if one of the guys was, say, Philip Seymour Hoffman or Paul Giamatti.  Both of those actors are known primarily for their dramatic work, but are great with comedy.  The only redeeming thing about ALONG CAME POLLY (2004) was Philip Seymour Hoffman.

There are a few good pop culture references sprinkled throughout.  SONS OF ANARCHY and Anne Rice spring to mind.

Is this a movie people will reference?  Nope.  Is this a movie with memorable lines that I’ll text to friends while drunk?  Nope.  It’s decent, but not particularly memorable.  I’ll give it two and a half knives because it’s better than most big Hollywood comedies.  But it’s not as good or funny as the best.  If you want to see a funny comedy or need a Jason Bateman fix, HORRIBLE BOSSES (2011) is still playing in most theatres.  Or if you want a flick about body changes, see if 13 GOING ON 30 (2004) is OnDemand.

© Copyright 2011 by Kelly Laymon

 

Kelly gives THE CHANGE-UP – two and a half knives!

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