I have seen a few good movies this summer, and since I generally prefer independent/small release films, I decided to share two reviews with you guys.
Strangers With Candy
Jerri Blank is a 47-year-old ex-con junkie-whore, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have a heart. When Jerri (the incomparable Amy Sedaris) and her impressive overbite return home from a 32-year prison stint, she finds her dad (Dan Hedaya) has lapsed into a "stress-induced" coma, which his faithful doctor (Ian Holm) believes is irreversible. Unless, that is, Jerri can pick up her life where she left off: returning to high school and becoming "the good girl she never was and never had any interest in becoming."
Sedaris plays Jerri as a hyper-sexualized woman-child with lecherous tendencies and no understanding of personal space. With '70s-style velour pants hugging her ample bulges in all the wrong places, zero social grace and a mouthful of truly appalling teeth, Jerri is hilariously oblivious to her own lack of appeal, which, of course, makes her enormously appealing. And while comedy may be the most subjective of all movie genres, I feel enormously confident saying this: "Strangers With Candy" is easily the wittiest, most ridiculous and possibly the best-written comedy of the year ("Thank You For Smoking" is the only other worthy contender which I may just have to buy on dvd). I normally don't commit this sort of thing to public forums, but there were several scenes that made me laugh so hard I would have snorted water/soda out of my nose, had I been drinking anything at the time.
When Jerri makes her decidedly non-triumphant return to Flatpoint High School, she's greeted by an array of characters. Again, fans of the show from Comedy Central will recognize many of their old friends, including the great and aptly named Onyx Blackman (Gregory Hollimon), who needs to impress two school board members (Allison Janney and Philip Seymour Hoffman) in order to secure "discretionary funds," which he has earmarked to pay off his gambling debts. How to do it? Two words: Science Fair.
Enter Mr. Noblet (Colbert), the closeted born-again Christian who "teaches" science from the Bible and whose ongoing tryst with art teacher Geoffrey Jellineck (director Dinello) causes him no end of psychic angst. This is unfortunate, given that he has no emotional impulse control. His students, including Jerri, respond to him, and to the other many, many dysfunctional faculty members, with poker-faced stares. Mr. Noblet is in direct competition--for principal Blackman's approval and Geoffrey's heart--with Roger Beekman, played with smarmy abandon by Matthew Broderick. (Mrs. Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, also makes an appearance as a guidance counselor who provides neither guidance nor counsel).
Unlike so many of the comedies released these days, this movie is very aware of its language, which is a strange thing to write about a movie that utilizes extensive bathroom humor. It's true, though: The script works in ways that are both broad and slightly elevated, and part of the joke is that it's assumed we're all elevated enough to get the references. Case in point: One of Jerri's best friends is named Megawatti Sacarnaputri. "Not THAT Megawati Sukarnoputri," he assures Jerri when they're introduced. Indonesian political dynasties were never so much fun.
Even if, by the movie's final 20 minutes, things start to slow down, it's impossible to hold a grudge. Sedaris is to be congratulated, not only for her tremendous bravery in the face of tough wardrobe choices but for sticking by Jerri for the past six years. That kind of commitment, just like really tight velour, looks good on everyone.
Wordplay
For fans of cute, fuzzy animals ("March of the Penguins"), musical prodigies ("Rock School") and adrenaline-pumping sports ("Murderball"), last year’s class of feature documentaries was nothing short of spectacular. And with the genre becoming more like your average Hollywood narrative with each successive year, it comes as no surprise that the first great documentary of 2006 – Patrick Creadon’s "Wordplay" – also trumps most Hollywood thrillers with its fast-paced, nail-biting journey into the crazy (and incredibly nerdy) world of crossword puzzle enthusiasts.
Whether or not you actually enjoy these types of puzzles is a moot point, really, since "Wordplay" will surely fascinate audiences of all skill levels, as well as those not even interested in the scholarly pastime. And just to be sure, Creadon has packed his 94-minute nerd doc with appearances by pop icons like comedian Jon Stewart, former President Bill Clinton, filmmaker Ken Burns, Yankees pitcher Mike Mussina, and lesbian-rock headliners, the Indigo Girls; all of whom share a passion for doing The New York Times crossword puzzle.
The film even kicks off with a brief biography of Times crossword editor Will Shortz, who, following a childhood obsession with puzzle-solving, graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Enigmatology – a self-created major focusing on the analysis of puzzles and codes. Four years later, Will founded the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament in Stamford, Connecticut – an event that still takes place today and also serves as the main backdrop of the film. Showcasing a handful of championship hopefuls, including twenty-year-old prodigy Tyler Hinman, Florida-based puzzle-maker Trip Payne (who also holds the title as the youngest winner of the event), seven-time champion Joe Delfin, perennial third-place everyman Al Sanders, and the wanna-be baton-twirling 2001 Crossword champ, Ellen Ripstein (whom I loathed from the first glance), "Wordplay" culminates at the 2005 ACPT where these five participants battle it out for top honors, amongst several hundred others.
Not since "Trekkies" has a documentary so brilliantly explored the world of nerds, but unlike the aforementioned, "Wordplay" has a much kinder eye for its subjects, and instead of satirizing them, is far more respectful of their (ahem) dorkier tendencies. In doing so, Creadon establishes a fantastic group of characters that the audience can indiscriminately root for; though younger viewers will undoubtedly cheer on frat boy Tyler as he strives to break Trip’s record. And though these puzzle-solving maniacs are the real stars of the film, Jon Stewart’s candid performance steals the show with hilarious remarks like "I’ll do the USA Today puzzle if I’m in a hotel, but I won’t feel good about myself" and a playful swagger that results in his decision to do the Tuesday puzzle, not in marker (as he originally jests), but in glue stick.
Luckily, "Wordplay" doesn’t require this sort of confidence to succeed. It’s already an exceptional piece of work that is both enlightening and an absolute delight to watch. And while it might not make you want to rush out to the nearest corner shop to pick up a copy of the latest Times, it’s something that every American should experience. Trust me, your brain will thank you.
I heartily recommend both movies; "Wordplay" for both a chuckle and just a fun and interesting documentary, and "Strangers With Candy" for a laugh-out-loud silly good time.
