Grand Readership,
Beginning with TODD PHILLIPS' OLD SCHOOL (2003) - a film that not only set the bar for adult comedy, but also rocket launched the comedy careers of several young stars. Strangely, I first saw OLD SCHOOL at a sneak preview, saw the picture alongside a riotous university crowd, and then stormed outside cheering and looking to party. And while I no longer follow such a pattern after seeing an excellent comedy, THE HANGOVER is an exceptional reminder of who's in charge of the genre.
PHILLIPS' success in OLD SCHOOL (and ROAD TRIP, for that matter) paved the way for such pictures as the well-received STARSKY AND HUTCH and the forgettable SCHOOL FOR SCOUNDRELS. With THE HANGOVER, PHILLIPS combines what works best: a talented young cast and talented filmmaking. And having just seen the picture as a sneak peek here in NYC, I will attest that a thirsty crowd was drenched in satisfaction.
THE HANGOVER finds four men on a bachelor party in VEGAS, hell-bent on a having one last bender together. BRADLEY COOPER leads as PHIL, the best friend to JUSTIN BARTHA'S DOUG. The other best friend, STU, is played by ED HELMS - who many will recognize as ANDY BERNARD from NBC'S THE OFFICE. Finally, ZACH GALIFIANAKIS (say that three times fast and WARNER BROS will give you the keys to their next failed blockbuster) is the estranged but hilarious brother-in-law to groom, ALAN. Maybe on paper this seems like a lot, but PHILLIPS guides us swiftly and easily through each of their relationships, adding a necessary fabric and dimension to the picture.
Perhaps OLD SCHOOL succeeded by the same function: among the three male leads in MITCH, FRANK and BERNARD (LUKE WILSON, WILL FERRELL and VINCE VAUGHN respectively) was a weave of seamless relationships. Each character related to the next in a unique way, on top of providing a unique relationship when the three were together. Let’s face it, pictures with this level of detail and class are rarely found in the adult comedy genre.
THE HANGOVER is set up as a chase film. The bachelor crew wakes up to a missing groom and no memory of the last twelve hours. They now have roughly one day to solve the mystery, retrieve the groom and deliver him to his wedding. And because it's structured in that way, it'd be difficult to discuss any of the plot points without taking away from the picture's enjoyment. Suffice to say, the story that unfolds is remarkable, but it will be how thoughtful and effortless the story is told that will keep the curious coming and sending them off with smiles.
At this point, it's only fair to go on record saying this comedy is adult in nature, and frankly, may be second only to BORAT (although if you stay for THE HANGOVER’s credits, that’s questionable) in terms of graphic nudity, language and adult content. If you can let it go, you are in for heck of a treat. Funny, having recently taken a friend of mine on a four man bachelor party in VEGAS (surprisingly, this is true) – and NOT having gone upside-down nuts, THE HANGOVER indeed captures something I’ve only known in VEGAS. What that is, I haven’t the foggiest. Here’s to hoping the picture tops $100M (which I think it will) and studios are taking notes on what audiences are really enjoying.
