Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Paul Rudd, Justin Theroux, Malin Akerman, Lauren Ambrose, Joe Lo Truglio, Kathryn Hahn, Melissa Joan Hart, and Alan Alda
Raunchy slapstick comedies have taken a very interesting turn in recent years. These films have become more reliant on penises for laughs. This new obsession has manifested itself in many ways on the big screen. I can think of quite a few comedies where filmmakers try to get a rise out of their viewers by putting their male stars in awkward situations during which they get a close-up with another man's family jewels. This trend really all began with Superbad back in 2007, and it's gotten out of control since then. Well, David Wain's Wanderlust continues this young tradition of flaunting penises at moviegoers in a grand way.
George (Paul Rudd) and Linda (Jennifer Aniston) are looking to move up in the world. George is a corporate workhorse, while Linda is flighty and still has no idea what she wants to do with her life. She's currently making a documentary on penguins with testicular cancer and wants to sell it to HBO. The two lovers decide to stretch themselves financially and buy a studio apartment in the West Village in New York. Soon after, George loses his job, and Linda figures out that she can't sell her film to HBO. They can no longer afford their new home, and decide to go to Atlanta where George's brother Rick (Ken Marino) can offer them work.
On the way down to Georgia, George and Linda stumble upon a bed and breakfast called Elysium where people make love and smoke pot freely. They've found a hippie community. They have a wonderful night there and then head down to Atlanta to meet Rick. They soon discover that George's brother is a pure Grade A asshole who can't let them deal with their situation without giving his two cents. George then convinces Linda to leave Atlanta and go back with him to Elysium where hippies, sex, and marijuana are abound.
Wanderlust is a decent comedy. It's certainly not the funniest movie I've seen this year, but it was worth my time. There are quite a few laugh-out-loud moments that kept me rolling throughout the film. Although I never laughed to the point of crying, I definitely had a smile on my face while watching this one. The problem with the movie is that it's over-the-top at times in its reliance on penises or disgusting nudity for kicks with the audience. On this night, I've certainly seen one too many men with their junk out. For that matter, I've seen one too many elders showing off their stuff as well. Once you get your AARP card, you should just know better than this.
Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston give decent performances. They have good chemistry on screen as the broke married couple George and Linda. The standouts in the film though are Ken Marino and Alan Alda. Marino's Rick is a jackass you want to hate, but he's just too damn funny. Alda's Carvin is a long-winded old fool, but he's one hilarious fool. In their smaller supporting roles, Marino and Alda deliver quite a few of Wanderlust's biggest laughs.
All in all, Wanderlust is a fun film that gets the job done. If you go see this one, you should make it an interactive viewing experience. The hippies at Elysium like to make wine, and I completely respect this. What good are drugs and free sex if you can't have a sip of the good stuff too? I recommend a couple of glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon with this one. Wanderlust gets a 0.06% rating.
