Giving a whole new meaning to the word ‘trust’ in a relationship, this perfect gem of an R rated film is probably the funniest
comedy to beat in 2012. Paul Rudd is back, teaming as an actor with his directing duo (Role Models David Wain) and boy, these two brainy comics, are so through-the-roof funny, one wonders what they’re smoking and why it’s yet to be legalized.
In this year’s brainstorm, George (Rudd) and his wife, Linda (Jennifer Aniston) play a Manhattan couple in over their heads for daring to purchase a “micro-loft.” Only a New Yorker can really appreciate the comedy in this real life circumstance. George has a corporate crap job and Anniston has several attempts though this year at finding her career path, but her new ‘niche’
is documentary filmmaking for HBO because she’s certain they’ll want her film about penguins with cancer. (fyi: for anybody in the business, the HBO round table scene is so spot on!)
When they find themselves unemployed, again, they decide to take a road trip and realize they have no option but to stay with super-rich reality show-ish brother (played gloriously as the most obnoxious character on the face of the earth by co-screenwriter/producer and fellow Wain regular – Ken Marion – Role Models.)
But before George and Linda arrive, they stumble upon a wrong turn that might be the best path of their lives. A hippy dippy commune called “Elysium.” Seth (Justin Theroux) is their leader, and Alan Alda was apparently once their leader, and now scoots around on his motorized wheelchair. The commune has all the psychedelic buses, the hair braiding, the meditation and the sharing – of everything, that one could hope for if you’ve always longed for the Magical Mystery Tour experience.
And it’s hilarious. Every second of it. Rudd going from seemingly “Normal” to one of “them” is brilliant while Aniston finally chooses a role that allows us to actually like her as an actor. She stays in the confines of her rom-com range, but blossoms (no irony intended) in her shifting perspective of life on a Blackberry to life on blackberries, no doubt laced with love potion from a shrub. Four tiaras