Someone (I forget who, it might have been my P.O. – that’s parole officer for you non-arrested law abiding citizens) told me to check out Wet Hot America Summer years ago. I finally got around to putting down my tube of Pillsbury frosting and toothbrush and checked out the film. It had me laughing from the start to the finish.
I hadn’t laughed like that since Britney Spears publicly stated she was a virgin. Naturally when The Ten was released I had to see it. I figured another film from David Wain would be as funny as Wet Hot, and the idea of watching a comedy about the Ten Commandments seemed more enjoyable than going to synagogue. It topped Wet Hot and proved that that the first film was not a fluke. Here was a comedic director with a really original sense of humor. While every other funny director out there was trying to copy Judd Apatow’s style, Wain proved he could be funny by doing his own thing. Imagine what he could do if he had a real budget? Imagine if Eddie Murphy made comedies again? Imagine the career Vin Diesel could have if he spoke English?
In his two previous films Wain collaborated with Paul Rudd who up until a few years ago was the known as the guy who played Alicia Silverstone’s step brother in Clueless and had to make out with her while trying not to throw up in his own mouth and hers. No one plays an everyman as a funnyman better than Rudd. He is so natural and comfortable that when he says something funny it comes out as truly believable and hysterical. This is probably why he keeps popping up in Judd Apatow’s movies too. Even when Rudd has to deliver something truly bizarre and unbelievable he remains so calm and funny. (Check out his explanation about dating Dianne Wiest in The Ten.)
So what’s holding me back from seeing this probable comedic treasure? Three words, all first names. Seann William Scott. This guy has been coasting on Stifler fumes since the first American Pie. I thought he was great in that film but he has been trying to prove he can act and carry a film since then. Southland Tales was awful, Mr. Woodcock was so painful I accidentally removed my own spleen during the film and never noticed. Seann is good in small doses. He was awesome in Road Trip and Old School, two films where he could pop up, tell a joke, and let someone else carry the exposition. The sad part is I’m really pulling for the guy because I think he could be a great comedic actor if he chose better movies to make.
The combination of Wain and Rudd would outweigh the fact that Seann has his name above the title. Since they threw in Jane Lynch, Chris Mintz-Plasse, and Elizabeth Banks there seems to be no reason not to see this movie (unless of course you count the economy, mortgage crisis, Sarah Palin, the war on terror, and the theater selling stale Sour Patch Kids).
USA
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