Recovering addict Jerry Stahl (Ben Stiller) works a fast food drive thru window in the middle of nowhere. He gets picked up by Kitty (Maria Bello) who has drug issues of her own. They have motel sex and he recounts his drug story. He was a writer for a kiddie show in New York but decided to go to L. A. to get away from the drugs. It didn't work out as planned.
This is based on the autobiography of TV writer Jerry Stahl. It may be his real life but it's an all-too-familiar story. The flashback structure does not help the narrative drive. The opening already shows that he survived and is recovering. While it's commendable that Ben Stiller is willing to stretch his acting, I can't help but compare some of his more druggie work with some sort of comedic take on drug addiction. This is fine but there is nothing groundbreaking. Stiller gives a commendable performance and it is all generally fine.
This is based on the autobiography of TV writer Jerry Stahl. It may be his real life but it's an all-too-familiar story. The flashback structure does not help the narrative drive. The opening already shows that he survived and is recovering. While it's commendable that Ben Stiller is willing to stretch his acting, I can't help but compare some of his more druggie work with some sort of comedic take on drug addiction. This is fine but there is nothing groundbreaking. Stiller gives a commendable performance and it is all generally fine.