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And it's not for want of trying either - because Arnett has churned out
a bundle of flicks over the last few years. Anyone who can name more
than two deserves a medal, and they all went down quicker than Lindsey
Lohan at a charity event with an all you can drink bar tab.
Who knows whether it's his choices, or simply the name, but nothing seems to work for the guy. Hot Rod was actually funnier than most flicks that hit big (if not slightly to cult for the mainstream), The Comebacks was a blight on the comedy genre, while Let's Go To Prison lacked...well... laughs of any kind - and Brothers Solomon hardly had them cuing up at the multiplex either.
Having said that, this odd little comedy (penned by & co-starring SNL's Will Forte) isn't as bad as the Box Office numbers may suggest.
The
flick follows brothers John and Dean Solomon, two rather quirky males
who were home-schooled in Antarctica by their widowed father (Six Million Dollar Man Lee
Majors) after the death of their mother, which explains why they are so
socially inept. When their beloved dad falls into a coma, the two hatch
a plan to revive him using a positive emotional shock - a grandchild.
Now they must find a surrogate who will no only agree to having their
baby - but not steal it from their incompetent hands.
This is by
no means as mainstream and straight forward as it's presented here. The
comedy is definitely skewed, a style of comedy which Forte has mastered
on SNL (it rides the fine
line between absurdist genius and - for what the bulk of the
intellectually challenged "I love Ben Stiller" comedy lover will think
- unfunny crud).
The humour doesn't exactly lie in the words (although there are some corkers: "I think we're going to have to look at some alternate ways of getting pregnant" "....Like Anal?") but
moreso in the delivery of the lines. Forte's style is a superb mix of
purposeful 'hammy acting' and creepiness which is truly an acquired
taste (but hilarious once you're on the same wave length).
Chi McBride delivers as the intimidating, foul mouthed partner of the Solomon's surrogate mother-to-be, while fellows SNL cast member Kristen Wiig continues her accession to the top of the female SNL cast list.
Sadly, the flick probably isn't consistent enough - and there is a real tendency for the Brothers to really
grate on your nerves (their constant optimism draws an immediate
comparison to Will Ferrell & Chris Kattan's performance in A Night At The Roxbury) at times.
Ultimately,
it works well enough and is certain to find a cult audience on DVD
(it's a perfect comedy for those mornings after a big night out when
you can't really do much other than sit on the couch and avoid
vomiting) - and best of all - it's given Forte an outlet for his humour
(check out "The Falconer" on YouTube - it's absurdist humour at it's
finest).
Let's just hope there is a brighter horizon for Will Arnett around the corner. EXTRAS
The
extras included here are surprisingly funny, at times, with more
genuine laughs than the flick itself. Lots of featurettes which have a
whole bunch of improvising to the camera by Arnett, Forte & Wiig -
which will make SNL fans very happy.
The deleted scenes also make you wonder who was the fool that left them out of the flick - great laughs!
All
in all, a pretty impressive package (which often isn't the case for
comedies which don't deliver at the Box Office). Perhaps it's a sign
that studios are finally realising that cult movies are worth investing
in after all! Conclusion:
Movie 65% Extras: 65%
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