The second theatrical trailer for Sacha Baron Cohen’s The Dictator is here, and it reveals a lot more plot, and even more laughs.
Although I do feel like it gave away some possible major “shocking” early story turns in the film, it still looks very promising.
So be warned, if you don’t want to know of a possible major plot twist – don’t watch this trailer.
The film also stars John C. Reilly, Anna Faris, Ben Kingsley, and Megan Fox.
The Dictator hits theaters on May 11th, 2012.
It’s always difficult for a group of solid comedy stalwarts when thrown into a film together to live up to expectations. At least that’s been my experience.
When you see the six leads for Friends With Kids; a romantic dramatic comedy, starring Adam Scott, Jennifer Westfeldt, Maya Rudolph, Jon Hamm, Kristen Wiig and Chris O’Dowd – it’s hard not to be optimistic.
The film starts off a few years back when the six were best of friends, the couples Leslie and Alex (Rudolph, O’Dowd) and Missy and Ben (Hamm, Wiig) along with best friends but not a couple Jason and Julie (Scott, Westfeldt) – so right off the bat you get an idea where this is going.
But hold your horses.
The two couples drop the bombs that they’re expecting children, while Jason and Julie scoff at the idea thinking it would ruin their single lives. As the two see their friends becoming more dormant and boring due to their “burden” of a child, they continue to strike out with one night stands looking for their match. All the while they complain to each other about their issues.
When the two start spit balling the idea of having a kid with one another – but without the relationship commitment and only parenting duties half the time – things begin to go haywire.
Friends With Kids is an interesting film that showcases the dynamic of how friendships are shaped, relationships are tested and life alters when you bring a baby in between it all.
The comedy isn’t really in your face, but the witty and sarcastic banter between Scott and Westfeldt is tremendous. My favorite performance overall in the film was actually from Jon Hamm.
Hamm who plays Ben, goes through a peak and major valley with wife Missy. He shows some raw anger and realism in the film that many people can relate to.
Rudolph and O’Dowd play the quirky couple who have more than one kid, are always at each others throats but always find time to subdue the situation with comedy.
As Jason and Julie have their kid (relax that’s not a spoiler, it’s the point of the film – and shown in all the trailers) they realize that it doesn’t seem so hard, yet keep wondering why their married friends all have such miserable lives.
The caveat to their relationship of not being together, but having a kid, is the “right” to go out and date. That’s where Edward Burns and Meagan Fox come in as Mary Jane and Kurt.
As Jason become smitten with the female version of himself in Mary Jane, and Kurt becomes the interest of Julie – the tension that was once laughed at – becomes a reality.
The film is full of solid acting with a real story line. The chemistry on screen with Westfeldt and Scott is portrayed well.
My one gripe in the film, and it really is a stand alone, is literally the last scene in the film. There is dialogue between Jason and Julie that really comes out of no where, and language wise is rather off-puting with some choice four letter words. Now I’m not opposed to cursing, but in this situation and time in the film, the way the scene played out, the words didn’t smooth over well with me.
But I digress…
Adam Scott shows off his versatility in the the film, jumping around from funny scenes to serious ones, a nice change of pace from what we’ve seen out of Scott most recently on Parks and Recreation.
Jennifer Westfeldt did her best Woody Allen impression as she wrote, directed and acted in the film. And while she hasn’t done many films since the cult classic Kissing Jessica Stein – she still is impressive here.
The entire cast is tremendous in their roles, they aren’t a bunch of Hollywood satire concoctions – it’s a pure, sometimes cringing reality depicted on screen. From failing marriages, to the friends who are right for each other, just don’t know it, this isn’t a typical From point A to point B romantic comedy.
Rating: 8/10
Interesting film here, that is probably headed down a cliche path but it’s got a hell of a cast and a somewhat original idea.
The film stars Jon Hamm, Kristen Wiig, Adam Scott, Maya Rudolph, Jennifer Westfeldt, Chris O’Dowd, Megan Fox and Edward Burns.
The story centers on a pair of thirty-something best friends (Scott and Westfeldt) who observe the toll that having kids has taken on the couples they know and resolve to bypass that stress by having a child and then date other people.
Friends With Kids hits theaters on March 9th, 2012.
That’s the potential idea Judd Apatow has for his next film.
Megan Fox is in negotiations to star alongside Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann in Apatow’s latest project for Universal.
Rudd and Mann are going to be reprising their characters from Apatow’s “Knocked Up” in a new story by the comedy laden Director.
What Apatow has in mind for Fox’s role is being kept a big secret.
While this may not be a good idea on the surface, as Fox is a yearly contender for the Razzies award for Worst Actor/Actress, you have to put some faith in the script and Apatow’s direction.
Now we wait and see.
Theater of The Mind 