johnlink ranks GET HIM TO THE GREEK (2010)
I’m not sure why it is I’ve seen so many more comedies than I used to. I think it’s just a need to unwind after long days, and I am tending to lean toward mindlessness. Whatever the reason, I did have interest in seeing this. I’d seen a few moments from it when it was in theaters, and it gave me a good chuckle.
I watched GET HIM TO THE GREEK (2010) on 5.23.11. It was my first viewing of the film. TRAILER HERE
I put this as above average, but not great. I unexpectedly enjoyed FUNNY PEOPLE awhile back, and it dawned on me upon thinking about GET HIM TO THE GREEK that the difference there is in the consequences. In FUNNY PEOPLE, we have characters who are arrogant and act badly. But their are real emotional and physical repercussions for their actions. In GET HIM TO THE GREEK, we have people behaving badly, doing heavy drugs, breaking cars, burning hotel rooms… and it never matters. Money and fame trump any problems that might arise.
The charm of this movie is that we like these people anyway. Russell brand is very funny in this. Jonah Hill is better than I’ve ever seen him, and utilizes a better range than he’s ever been asked to. And, I can’t believe I’m about to type this, P.Diddy stole the show and was funny beginning to end. Elizabeth Moss does a great job as Hill’s girlfriend, so it’s unfortunate that the movie starts to Nuke the Fridge when it finally gets back to her. It’s not her fault, the film just gets out of hand in the wrong way.
I had a lot of fun watching this film as Hill tries to get Brand’s rebellious British rocker from London to LA in 3 days for a huge concert. It’s episodic and, when it is at its best, unpredictably crazy fun. There are some nice moments along the way between Brand and Hill, they click chemistry-wise, but there just aren’t any real dangers. They try in the climax, but it just doesn’t quite get beyond above-average.
I think I’m being a little harsh on this film because it is alllllmost there. It is great fun, and the first two acts really do go nuts. I just don’t buy the third act, and it goes awry. Not in an unpredictable or crazy way, rather it just whimpers to the finish. That said, the last song is great. When life gives you a Jeffrey, stroke the furry wall.
SCORES
FILM: 3; MOVIE: 8; WRITING: 5; ACTING: 6; BONUS: 1
The bonus point is for the original music. Funny stuff, and it works. Usually, with movies like this, the songs are my least favorite part. Here, they are a highlight.
3+8+5+6+1=23
FINAL SCORE: 5.75
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