Spring Break
How to lose friends and alienate viewers
2 and a half out of 5 stars
Paresh Jha
Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: Focus
Slapstick comedy is a tricky thing. If it is handled properly and set amidst smart direction and movement, then it can be a recipe for success. Unfortunately, when it is handled poorly, then the result is the sound of crickets chirping in the theater. There is nothing worse than going to the theater and expecting to laugh and have a grand old time and then being disappointed. There would come times when one would desperately search for laughs and even force them out. But when the laughs are too scattered to inspire enjoyment, then you know that something is wrong.
"How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" is a film filled with all these problems. The movie is inspired by a memoir of the same name by Toby Young. The story centers on the outrageous escapades of a British aspiring entertainment journalist Sydney Young (Simon Pegg) as he attempts to make it big in America after being given a shot at the fictional Sharps Magazine.
This movie had an interesting premise that just was not executed properly and instead came off as a wannabe "The Devil Wears Prada." It can only be assumed that they were attempting to make a charming film highlighting the faults of Hollywood and shady journalism while incorporating witty comedy with a dash of slapstick as icing on the cake. Clearly, director Robert Weide was not able to accomplish this, even with such capable actors as Simon Pegg, Jeff Bridges and Gillian Anderson.
While there are moments of hilarious dialogue, especially from Bridges' character, they are far too widespread to hold the viewer's attention. Any other moments of amusement are most likely due to the actors and not the script. Many of the performances are well done but the rest of the execution simply falls flat. Fans of "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz" will not be disappointed with Simon Pegg's performance as he is the only consistently good aspect of this movie. Kirsten Dunst throws in a portrayal that is neither here nor there and is ultimately forgettable. Megan Fox is a pretty face but it is still unclear how much talent, if any, she has as an actress. It would almost seem like her portrayal of Sophie Maes is somewhat of a self-parody and I am not so sure if she is aware of this.
"How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" is not a complete loss, but looking from a viewpoint of potential, it is a huge disappointment. Hollywood is full of movies that could have been so much better if handled differently and you can add this one to the list.
"How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" is a film filled with all these problems. The movie is inspired by a memoir of the same name by Toby Young. The story centers on the outrageous escapades of a British aspiring entertainment journalist Sydney Young (Simon Pegg) as he attempts to make it big in America after being given a shot at the fictional Sharps Magazine.
This movie had an interesting premise that just was not executed properly and instead came off as a wannabe "The Devil Wears Prada." It can only be assumed that they were attempting to make a charming film highlighting the faults of Hollywood and shady journalism while incorporating witty comedy with a dash of slapstick as icing on the cake. Clearly, director Robert Weide was not able to accomplish this, even with such capable actors as Simon Pegg, Jeff Bridges and Gillian Anderson.
While there are moments of hilarious dialogue, especially from Bridges' character, they are far too widespread to hold the viewer's attention. Any other moments of amusement are most likely due to the actors and not the script. Many of the performances are well done but the rest of the execution simply falls flat. Fans of "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz" will not be disappointed with Simon Pegg's performance as he is the only consistently good aspect of this movie. Kirsten Dunst throws in a portrayal that is neither here nor there and is ultimately forgettable. Megan Fox is a pretty face but it is still unclear how much talent, if any, she has as an actress. It would almost seem like her portrayal of Sophie Maes is somewhat of a self-parody and I am not so sure if she is aware of this.
"How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" is not a complete loss, but looking from a viewpoint of potential, it is a huge disappointment. Hollywood is full of movies that could have been so much better if handled differently and you can add this one to the list.
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