Two Comedies from Paramount
Hot Rod (November 25/07)
Hot Rod, the cinematic debut of SNL performer Andy Samberg, comes off as precisely the sort of silly and nonsensical piece of work that one might've expected, and while the movie does admittedly suffer from a sluggish midsection, the inclusion of several genuinely hilarious bits of comedy - coupled with the refreshingly brisk running time - ultimately ensures that the film has all the makings of a minor cult classic. Samberg stars as Rod Kimble, an aspiring stuntman who concocts a plan to raise $50,000 after learning his stepfather (Ian McShane's Frank) requires a life-saving heart transplant. Rod's reasons for doing this are far from altruistic, however, as he's determined to beat Frank in a fight and certainly can't do so while the man is on his deathbed. There's little doubt that Samberg himself deserves the lion's share of credit for Hot Rod's minor success, as the actor's exceedingly goofy performance provides the movie with some of its biggest laughs (ie his hilariously over-the-top reaction after Frank sneaks up behind him). The incredibly quirky supporting cast - which, in addition to McShane, boasts appearances by Isla Fisher, Sissy Spacek, and Will Arnett - is as effective as it is impressive, while director Akiva Schaffer's passion for '80s movies such as Footloose and The Karate Kid adds a layer of homage that proves irresistible. The end result is an effort that'll surely delight as many viewers as it irritates, and one can't help but hope that this marks the beginning of a long and fruitful movie career for Samberg.
out of
Let It Ride (July 17/07)
Low-key and forgettable, Let It Ride casts Richard Dreyfuss as Jay Trotter - a gambling addict who shocks himself and his friends as he embarks on a spectacular winning streak one afternoon at a local racetrack. Director Joe Pytka - working from Nancy Dowd's screenplay - has infused Let It Ride with a muddy visual style that only compounds the film's various problems, while Dreyfuss delivers an almost absurdly over-the-top performance (the actor spends much of the movie with his energy level cranked to 11, even during scenes that practically demand a more subdued approach). The inclusion of a few admittedly effective sequences - ie a surprisingly tense moment in which Trotter awaits the results of a photo finish - ensures that the film maintains a relatively amiable vibe throughout, but Let It Ride is ultimately the sort of movie that disappears from one's memory minutes after it ends.
out of
