Old School (2003)
“Old School” begins with one of the
most derogatory and shameless anti-gay comments to
be seen in a Hollywood film since the 70’s. It’s repulsive,
totally insensitive and completely not funny. Sniping
this 15 seconds from the film where a cab driver is
supposed to be a “tough guy” would make the film a
masterpiece of comedy because after this initial horrible
supposed joke (Director Todd Phillips and Dreamworks
should give GLAAD a million dollars) the film is unstoppable
in its humor. “Old School” is one of the funniest
films I’ve seen in quite a while.
It’s not much of a surprise. Phillips
was also behind the comic gem “Road Trip” and has
proved himself to have great casting skills, impeccable
comic timing and the capacity to make jokes that are
visual, cerebral, and honest.
But the true genius of “Old School”
is Will Farrell. Making even the most innocuous ad-lib
a little comic gem, Farrell simply astounds with his
abilities here. He makes anything and everything he
does simply hilarious. A scene where he shoots himself
in the neck with an animal tranquilizer dart is one
of the most devastatingly entertaining moments in
a film that is laugh-out-loud funny throughout (after
that first stupid fucking joke and – no – I won’t
let it go. Did I mention that Phillips and Dreamworks
should give GLAAD a million dollars?)
The story here is insipid and poorly
executed. Who cares. Luke Wilson adds nothing to the
film. Again, who cares. Vince Vaughn tries and succeeds
about half of the time. Good for him. None of this
matters. See “Old School” to see Will Farrell make
you piss your pants with his goofy and deliriously
delightful antics. In fact, see “Old School” twice.
Phillips and Dreamworks are going to need that extra
money when GLAAD sees the film.
Note:
Also with Seann Scott Williams (hilarious),
Jeremy Piven (miscast), Juliet Lewis (brilliantly
hilarious), Leah Remini (wasted), Craig Kilborn (give
a real actor a chance you job hogging schmuck), and
Artie Lange.
The songs “Hungry Like the Wolf,”
“Dust in the Wind” and “Sounds of Silence” are all
used for jokes, the latter in a spoof of the pool
scene in “The Graduate.”
Viewed in Austin in March 2003
