On the Big Board |
| Position |
Staff |
In Brief |
| 25/31 |
Les Winan |
Moments of absolutely hilarity among the total randomness. I appreciate how far they were willing to go even if it never quite makes sense. |
| 156/196 |
Max Braden |
Absurd, surreal comedy. It feels like they fired some buckshot at a long distance target to see what they could hit. Kathryn Hahn has the best moments. |
John C. Reilly seems to have discovered that making comedies is sooooooo much more fun than making stupid old dramas. After years as an Everyman character actor, he co-starred with Will Ferrell in the 2006 hit Talladega Nights, and then struck out on his own with Walk Hard last Christmas. Now, Reilly reunites with Ferrell in Step Brothers.
One of the roles that Ferrell has down-pat is the idiot man-child. But that's pretty much run its course for him, as witnessed by the spring flop Semi-Pro. So what to do? Make a film in which him *and* his co-star are complete dolts.
Ferrell is Brennan, an unemployed idiot mooching off his mom (Mary Steenburgen). Reilly is Dale, an unemployed idiot mooching off his dad (Richard Jenkins, probably most recognizable as the elder Nate Fischer from Six Feet Under). When the two parents get married, Brennan and Dale behave exactly like 12-year-old stepbrothers who hate each other, except they're grown men. Lots of wacky hijinks ensue!
Ferrell cohort Adam McKay, who was also behind the camera for Anchorman and Talladega Nights, directs Step Brothers. The script was penned by Ferrell, Reilly and McKay. And if you sensed the producing hand of Judd Apatow, well, pat yourself on the back (the poster may have given that one away, though. Time to come up with a new idea, Judd).
There are slight concerns that Ferrell's schtick is running thin (again, see Semi-Pro's box office) and Walk Hard did more or less flop theatrically as well, so it's not an instant hit here. Still, the trailer is amusing enough, capping with the duo getting beaten up by a throng of middle schoolers and a bunk bed collapse. If this is the sort of thing you find hilarious, then you're definitely in for a treat this July. (Tim Briody/BOP)
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