Hey folks, Harry here... I said when this project first appeared on my radar that I thought this one had potential. Child Stars all grown up are just often sad confused strange bizarre zoo critters to marvel at and oh so ripe for the poking and prodding of a comedy for all audiences. I can imagine Spade as a spoiled pampered decadent inhuman monster of a brat grown old. He's got that sort of vibe. Of course, nothing will ever wipe the memory of running into David Spade at the PLAYBOY mansion in a Tarzan loincloth as I was strutting about in a Tigger costume. That was comedy folks... I was so stud...
Fellow Ex Presidents -
I went to a screening in Hollywood last night of Spade's newest flick Dickie Roberts and I'm still a little shocked because (please sit down) the movie was better than it should have been. (If this is any indication, I'll tell you how it ended - the audience stood and clapped for good half minute - for a Spade film. And the audience seemd to have all their chromosomes. ) Halfway through the movie, I was actually checked my drink to make sure that my buddy didn't spike my soda. It's pretty fucking funny. I'll admit I was a fan of Spade's Hollywood riffs on SNL but Lost and Found put a bullet in my love for that toe headed wiseass. I missed Farley more than ever after as I watched him try to be a romantic leading man in that sorry mess of movie. And I never got into Just Shoot Me.
So tonight I just prayed that I would get some chuckles before USA network puts it heavy rotation and numbs more stoned college freshman. I even thought Joe Dirt had some funny stuff but it was rough and all over the place. And Spade ain't a character guy like Mike Meyers. My buddy who dragged me there told me the director was the guy that did George Of The Jungle and What's The Worst that Could Happen. That bit of news confirmed my suspicions so I eyed the nearest exit figuring I could always wander into Tomb Raider and stare at Angelina Jolie's tits for 2 hours to avoid Lost And Found 2.
The movie is basically a crazy family comedy bookended by childstars that dont overtake the story. It startson a clever E-True Hollywood opening detailing his life as a failed kid actor (funny David Soul joke) and funny catch phrase - "Your Nucking Futz"and then it jumps to modern day where his character Dickie Roberts is on celebrity boxing and gets the tar knocked out of him by tattood Webster' star Emmanual Lewis. And then he gets dumped on the way home by Alyssa Milano wearing very low cut jeans and her boobs spilling out - the tightest ever seen her wear - more trashy than her on Charmed or Maxim. She's a little plastic, but that's her part and she holds her own in a funny way. She was a child star, it made sense for her to be in it. Anyway, he goes back to his pathetic life in Hollywood and his agent played by Jon Lovitz tries to help him get work. Lovitz is also reined in too here - maybe someone told them to stop hamming it up - his best role is still League Of Their Own but he plays it real and sweet but keeps his trademark Lovitz schtick. (someone must have told him a little goes a long way.) Dickie then has weird chance run in with Brendan Fraser where he begs him to help him to meet Rob Reiner.
He goes to play Poker with his friends Danny Bonaduche, Leif Garett, Greg Brady, Cory Feldman and Screech (loved him in Made, loved him in this - although he have to do alot in either film - I'm just happy to see Screech getting work!) The poker scene is pretty funny especially when Greg best with his Brady bunch crap and they all trash Vin Diesel. Dickie gets a meeting with Rob Reiner, who's casting his next film. (I know what your thinking and no - its not Alex and Emma, I saw that turd and Spade might have been an improvement in that one.) Dickie will do anything for his part and tries to audition but Reiner tells him he's a mess because he's never had a real childhood. Dickie takes that advice and hires a family to do-over his childhood.
After a few failed attempts at finding a family- the last one had a one-eyed rap chick - I can't descibe it but it was obscure and funny. He ends up a middle class suburban family and meets the mom played by Mary McCormick - who was the girl in Private Parts. I don't know what she's been doing but she's definetly a Milf if I ever saw one. She's not hot like un-getable Cameron Diaz, she's just was real and sexy as shit. The dad, played by Craig Bearko (the funny psycho from Long Kiss Goodnight and 13th Floor) - is somewhat typical self absorbed dad and yes, we kinda see where he's heading but he steals every scene he's in. The two kids were brand new but little girl was especially good
Dickie settles into the houes and after a rocky start with the family and getting banished to the treehouse - he bonds with the kids and family. All of the events seemed like Hollywood's version of trademark kid moments - but each had a clever or sadistic spin - a slip and slide gag that almost rips his skin off, scary stories in the treehouse, and a dead rabbit bit that was so wrong it was right. There's also a grade school cheerleader tryout scene that reminded of me when Brittany Spears first arrived on the scene with her fake-innocent sexy look. It pushes the edge - I dont want to ruin but that joke took balls. Dickie ends up bonding with the family blah blah blah and while its expected - the story works. It's got heart withouut being bullshitty. And he and the mom have a great chemistry together. She's awesome. The jokes are what makes this stand out though - I haven't seen original jokes in movies in a while, and the ones here are completely original. With this, you don't see them coming and its constant, every minute - its not like having to wait 10 minutes for each laugh. (like Amer Pie3. - sucked - sorry but it did - what the fuck? Was Stiffler on ecstasy? What happened to him?)
Ending was cleverly wrapped up with an ETrue Holllywood again. I almost missed the ending with the credits but walked back in because my ride was still inside only to find they made a video like We Are The Wolrd with dozens os childstars from different eras singing and standing on bleachers and asking to be left alone. Tons of cameos - Marsha Brady curses, Peter Brady cracks his voice with his two brothers, Gary Coleman shows up, Rerun dances, Joanie from Happy Days, problem seeking Adam Ritch and Todd Bridges has a funny rap. They even dug up long lost Corey Haim to make a rare onscreen appearance with Feldman - seeing the two Corey's back on screen reminded me of License to Drive and then reminded me why they stopped starring in movies, but it still was oddly comforting to to see them again.
I don't know if Spade can do it again. but this flick was good. Better than most of the comedies that have come out this year - it was like warm and fuzzy John Hughes on acid. The beginning hollywood stuff had a slow spot or two and the ending, while satisfying, was pure Hollywood cheese (except the killer ending song) Everything with the family though, is balls out funnny with no contrived syrupy crap. This role seems suited for him as a screwed-up washout with a sarcastic mouth - admittedly not a stretch - but he actually seemed relaxed for the first time since Tommy Boy. If you don't like his trademark sarcasm then this film is probably not for you, although he keeps it at acceptable level. It's the best thing he's ever done solo - and I don't count that animated Egyptian movie he voiced. Yeah, I still miss Farley (Holy Shnikees!) and yeah its not the best comedy Ive ever seen (sorry but Rushmore still rules supreme!) but I'm also not some jaded cynic who doesn't mind a feel good movie I just want to laugh, and this flick was completely original and took me by surprise. But then again, maybe my soda was spiked.... with 100% pure adenaline....
Still searching for Bodhi-
-Johnny Utah
