David Wain and his well-established troupe of actor-comedians -- along with a few new brilliant featured players -- have done it again. This is not only a smartly crafted film that transcends the lazy simplicity of a prototypical parody film (it actually has a forward-moving plot and characters who develop over the course of the narrative, as opposed to just a string of jokes loosely tied together). It is also the first movie I've seen in years that left me laughing out loud at every turn.
This likely has as much to do with the high caliber of its cast as the incisive and hilarious writing that is also true to the prosaic genre it is skewering.
As much as I've enjoyed (surprisingly) some of Wain's more commercial fare of recent years, it was so refreshing to see his reliable team and him back in doing what they do best and have proved to be the unarguable masters of: Pure pastiche. It's one thing to poke fun at romcoms (especially THESE days with such predictable drivel bombarding us wherever we go). But to deftly embrace the genre and play with it WHILE also playing by the strictures of said genre is what makes Wain a true craftsman.
Unfortunately, as with The State and Stella, such comedy isn't as easily accessible and fast-food digestible as the hackneyed, broad comedy most audience members are being fooled into spending their money on today. But, it's nice to know that at least someone is out there working to make funny films for the rest of us.
This likely has as much to do with the high caliber of its cast as the incisive and hilarious writing that is also true to the prosaic genre it is skewering.
As much as I've enjoyed (surprisingly) some of Wain's more commercial fare of recent years, it was so refreshing to see his reliable team and him back in doing what they do best and have proved to be the unarguable masters of: Pure pastiche. It's one thing to poke fun at romcoms (especially THESE days with such predictable drivel bombarding us wherever we go). But to deftly embrace the genre and play with it WHILE also playing by the strictures of said genre is what makes Wain a true craftsman.
Unfortunately, as with The State and Stella, such comedy isn't as easily accessible and fast-food digestible as the hackneyed, broad comedy most audience members are being fooled into spending their money on today. But, it's nice to know that at least someone is out there working to make funny films for the rest of us.