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Thunder Blast
Ben Stiller's Tropic Thunder (Dreamamount, 8.13) , which I saw three months ago, is an escaped-from-Bedlam, bong-hit, National Lampoon-level (the '70s magazine, not the movies) Hollywood satire of (a) itself and (b) various Vietnam War movies we've all savored, particularly Platoon and Apocalypse Now. Except it's not as low as it sounds. The tone is informed by the filmmaker characters, all of whom are clever jerks of one kind of another. Nobody's a complete idiot.
The laughs stem from a rollicking, toking-up-with-the-guys attitude that gets sillier, wilder and more surreal by the page. And it's a people's comedy in that uncouth types will love it but so will those with a little education and refinement as long as they've gotten high at some point in the past, or have it in them to get the drug-humor thing.
That sounds like a ceiling, doesn't it? Conventional wisdom says that satire only travels so far, and drug-humor movies never get past $60 or $70 million. Well, Tropic Thunder has something else in the engine, a kind of manic propulsion element that really hellzapops.
On top of which acid-tinged humor is a tonally appropriate way to go for a movie about making a movie about the U.S. of A's first and only psychedelic war. It's basically about a self-absorbed asshole movie star (Stiller) who's career is downspiralling, and who has taken a role in a Vietnam movie that's being shot in...I forget precisely but somewhere in Southeast Asia. And of course, all hell breaks loose at the end of the first act.
Speedman's costars are Jack Black's "Portnoy" and Robert Downey, Jr.'s "Kirk Lazarus," among others. The director is played by crazy Steve Coogan. The technical advisor is a flipped-out Vietnam vet played by Nick Nolte. Matthew McConaughey (great casting!) plays Speedman's slithering, soul-less agent, and Tom Cruise -- best thing he's done in years -- plays a potty-mouthed pit-bull mogul who runs the studio that's funding the film.
Robert Downey, Jr.
The story is about what happens when the cast goes out in to the wilds of the jungle in order to feel the fear and acquire the thousand-yard stare, and real life intrudes in the form of a Golden Triangle drug-dealing gang.
Two hours after I saw Tropic Thunder last April, breathless and still charged, I called it "the most psychedelically deranged Vietnam-War-movie comedy of all time." That still sounds like an okay way to put it. I remember saying to myself as I sat in the Sherry Lansing theatre, "I feel like I'm on something....what would this movie be like if I was?" But every inspired comedy feels like you or the actors have dropped at least a half-tab of something. That's what Some Like It Hot feels like, for sure. Ditto A Night at the Opera, The Big Lebowski, Superbad, etc.
I wish I did still turn on (I haven't smoked anything since the mid '70s) because I'd love to get wasted before re-seeing Downey's performance as a talented but pretentious actor playing a "black guy," complete with an Isaac Hayes street accent and a special pigmentation makeover.
Stiller, who's directed and co-written the script (with Justin Theroux and Etan Cohen), has been trying to make this film for years. Here's a salute to not just Stiller but all tenacious filmmakers -- great ideas are nothing if you don't have the balls to keep pushing. This film is Stiller's best work since the hey-hey days of The Ben Stiller Show, and his best idea since the Al Pacino-auditions-for-Beethoven bit.
It also feels to me like an Oscar-level thing for Downey. I know -- who gives a hoot about Oscar nominations when a film is this funny? But Downey is amazing in this. This plus Iron Man -- what a year for the guy. The Best Supporting Actor race is already down to Downey vs. Ledger.
One of the most successful performances by Stiller's Speedman was a retarded Jack character, and one of Tropic Thunder's trippiest moments is when Stiller re-performs Jack in front of the heroin-dealing gang. I love that Speedman never "wakes up" -- start to finish, he's in a movie of one kind or another.
At least Cruise has one thing he can point to this year with pride and joy, even with Valkyrie's myriad issues. (I wonder, by the way, how The Hardy Men -- a Stiller-Cruise comedy -- is progressing?)
Is there a difference between humor that you know is funny as hell but you do';t laugh at, and the kind that you do? I suppose, but for me, Tropic Thunder was a half-and-halfer in this regard. And that's totally fine.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on July 23, 2008 at 12:19 PM
comment #1
Rev. Slappy says ...
The first time I saw the trailer I thought Downey's work looked really special. If the Academy didn't have such a low opinion of comedy, I would say he was a shoe-in to be nominated. I never understood how that happened. Actors vote for actors, right? And actors will tell you comedy is harder to play than drama, right? So why do so many brilliant comedy performances get overlooked by Oscar?
Posted by Rev. Slappy at July 23, 2008 12:31 PM
comment #2
p.Vice says ...
Jeff -- This review explains all the confusion and self-loathing that has been unconsciously written into your reviews in the last few years! You seriously need to smoke some MAJOR FUCKING CHRONIC asap, pvt. I was talking to a friend last night about his feeling aimless and unsure about the world... and then he told me that he hadn't smoked any good bud in the last two or three years. WHAT!?!?!
Now I kinda feel bad for being rude on prior occasions... I didn't realize the depth of your problems, man. Apologies. I'm making it my mission in life to smoke a bowl with you. Mark my words -- it'll happen soon!!
Posted by p.Vice at July 23, 2008 12:33 PM
comment #3
Mr. Peel says ...
Owen Wilson was going to play the McConaughey role. Sounds great, can't wait to see it.
Posted by Mr. Peel at July 23, 2008 12:40 PM
comment #4
Rich S. says ...
Theroux has been tapped to write Iron Man 2. I'm glad. Rumors are that the Iron Man sequel was going to deal with Stark's alcoholism, which I thought was fine until I saw Iron Man. Iron Man was saved by its humor, which was directly attributable to the cast, especially Downey. If he's comfortable with Theroux (which is presumably how Theroux got the IM2 job), then hopefully IM2 won't spiral down into the murk.
Posted by Rich S. at July 23, 2008 12:48 PM
comment #5
JChasse says ...
I hate to be "that guy", but someone's got to be, and I can at least be nice about it...
Robin Williams wasn't retarded in "Jack"; he had an aging disorder.
And the actor from "Million Dollar Baby" is Jay Baruchel; he was also in "Almost Famous" and the series "Undeclared".
Posted by JChasse at July 23, 2008 1:12 PM
comment #6
JD says ...
I saw this on Monday and I thought it was an embarrassment. Stiller's directing style is way too one-note and broad. The fake trailers at the beginning of the movie are horrible, particularly in comparison to the fake trailers in Grindhouse, which contained infinitely more style and wit. Pineapple Express blows this movie out of the water... not that they're necessarily in competition, but there is some overlap between the two. David Gordon Green is just a far more precise, witty, and good-natured filmmaker, whereas Stiller is content to simply mock everyone onscreen.
Posted by JD at July 23, 2008 1:19 PM
comment #7
nelson37 says ...
Jeff wrote something positive about Matthew McConaughey? Who's next, Peter Jackson?
Posted by nelson37 at July 23, 2008 1:30 PM
comment #8
CinemaPhreek says ...
Stiller and Black - be afraid, be very fucking afraid. One is hyperactive, over the top scene chewer is bad enough, but two in a film that will do nothing but encourage them is the cinematic equivalent of water boarding.
PINEAPPLE EXPRESS cannot get here fast enough.
Posted by CinemaPhreek at July 23, 2008 1:31 PM
comment #9
iamwhoiam says ...
I saw it and it's brilliant. Funny as hell and original. The theatre explode with laughter and everyone i talked to said they are going to see it again. RDJ's performance is a comedy classic. It's way better than any of Apatow's nonsense.
Posted by iamwhoiam at July 23, 2008 1:42 PM
comment #10
JD says ...
iamwhoiam, you are insane.
Posted by JD at July 23, 2008 1:47 PM
comment #11
The Winchester says ...
Hey Jeff, you know with the medical stuff, you can partake of the cannabis in numerous edible forms, the likes you probably never would have conceived. Just sayin...
Posted by The Winchester at July 23, 2008 1:48 PM
comment #12
Josh Massey says ...
After The Dark Knight, this is the worst year to turn in an Oscar-worthy supporting actor performance. Ya ain't gotta shot.
Posted by Josh Massey at July 23, 2008 1:51 PM
comment #13
George Prager says ...
I always loved Stiller's Oliver Stone Land
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-tGGoqdfNhM
Posted by George Prager at July 23, 2008 1:59 PM
comment #14
nelson37 says ...
"The Best Supporting Actor race is already down to Downey vs. Ledger".
The Oscars might actually be worth watching this year.
Posted by nelson37 at July 23, 2008 2:05 PM
comment #15
MilkMan says ...
Medical Pot is powerful. One hit and I feel like I'm going to die. Gives me the fear something awful. But then it smoothes out and all is well with the world. I find that I don't really like to watch movies anymore when I'm stoned, especially not comedies. The last movie I watched high that was great (or I think was great) was Bodysong, even though the first ten minutes were kind of hard to get through. I prefer sci-fi for when I'm stoned, or music documentaries, like the Daniel Johnston and Roky Erickson movies. And About a Boy. That was a good one.
Tip for Sc-Fi Stoners: Watch Escape from New York with the sound off. As soon as the credits come on, start listening to Trans Am's 1999 album Furtureworld.
Of course the best movie to watch if you're 13 years and stoned is Fresh Out of High School #10, but tha goes without saying, right?
Posted by MilkMan at July 23, 2008 2:41 PM
comment #16
Mgmax says ...
This'll be funny to look back on when the Oscar nominees are all annoying arthouse movies about paraplegic painters and shit.
Posted by Mgmax at July 23, 2008 2:44 PM
comment #17
MilkMan says ...
Oh, I forgot to mention another GREAT stoner flick:
Electroma, the film by Daft Punk, which is kind of like a sci-fi version of Two Lane Blacktop.
Posted by MilkMan at July 23, 2008 4:13 PM
comment #18
MilkMan says ...
Oh, I forgot to mention another GREAT stoner flick:
Electroma, the film by Daft Punk, which is kind of like a sci-fi version of Two Lane Blacktop.
Posted by MilkMan at July 23, 2008 4:23 PM
comment #19
gruver1 says ...
JD, you are insane. People were howling during the showing I attended.
Posted by gruver1 at July 23, 2008 4:32 PM
comment #20
Mjs says ...
Milkman, seriously, do you have a blog? I find myself going through the comments sections just to see if you've commented.
Posted by Mjs at July 23, 2008 4:56 PM
comment #21
actionman says ...
Wish I had known Jeff, otherwise I would have given you some of the best shit that the city of Angeles has to offer before I split town.
That said, watching movies stoned is one of the best pleasures that life has to offer. Not quite as enjoyable as getting a b.j. when you're blazed, but it comes close.
I can't wait to see Tropic Thunder; the cast looks primed to explode, the idea is great, and Stiller has always been an underrated director. The casting of Nick Nolte is inspired. And Downey Jr. looks brilliant. Even Jack Black, who I normally cannot stand at all, looks good in this.
I am also in agreement that Pineapple Express cannot get here soon enough...looks f'ing priceless. Can't wait to see what Green does with a semi-budget. Snow Angels is still one of the best of the year.
And one other thing: I saw The Dark Knight sober and thought it was a masterpiece and loved every moment of it. I am almost afraid to see it after getting ripped.
Posted by actionman at July 23, 2008 5:59 PM
comment #22
romeoisbleeding says ...
Two of my friends have seen early screenings of this movie and have not stopped raving about it. And they are both serious movie buffs. I think if the Oscar people want to increase enthusiasm in the whole night, then having Ledger going against Downey would be just the ticket.
Posted by romeoisbleeding at July 23, 2008 6:23 PM
comment #23
Nick Rogers says ...
"Tropic Thunder" > "Pineapple Express."
Hell, "Step Brothers" > "Pineapple Express."
Posted by Nick Rogers at July 23, 2008 9:31 PM
comment #24
Edward says ...
I always enjoyed dropping acid and seeing films: Manhattan, which is brilliant and has gorgeous cinematography is stunningly beautiful while tripping. Touch of Evil is even more dark and sordid. Greystoke was absolutely beautiful and exciting. I was so altered by it after leaving the theatre I had to wander Westwood for awhile just to come back to earth.
Posted by Edward at July 23, 2008 10:02 PM
comment #25
Sendyhong says ...
So cool.I'd like to share it with the hotties who also like sports I met at **R I C H L O V I N G.C O M**,where the hot affluent singles and sexy girls and models to hook up for Hot Love, Flirt and Sexy Dating!
Posted by Sendyhong at July 24, 2008 3:02 AM
comment #26
actionman says ...
watching a movie from start to finish while on acid proved to be quite challenging for me
dr. strangelove on acid was one that I did while in college; the first matrix film on mushrooms was quite the experience as well.
Posted by actionman at July 24, 2008 9:22 AM
comment #27
Jinjo says ...
I've been seeing some other reviews popping up for this and it's the comedy I've been looking forward to the most this summer. I heard Cruise had a hilarious role in this. Maybe now people will realize that he can be humorous and poke fun at his industry. Beliefs aside, he's just another Hollywood actor, and he's a damn good one. I can't wait to see him portraying von Stauffenberg in Valkyrie.
Posted by Jinjo at July 24, 2008 10:07 AM
comment #28
TalkingPie says ...
Back in '94, I had friends who actually dropped acid and strolled into "Natural Born Killers" a few times. I'm surprised they came out alive. That flick is one giant brown tab on the tongue of the MTV generation.
Posted by TalkingPie at July 24, 2008 11:45 AM
comment #29
BurmaShave says ...
Which is why it's confused and doesn't quite work. It's trying to meld a 60s vibe onto a 90s media satire.
Posted by BurmaShave at July 24, 2008 1:17 PM
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