The Extra Man
1/25/10 9:30pm - 1/25/10 10:30pm
Yes, it’s true, I was annoyed by the movie before it started. My brain hurt from free beer, and the filmmakers’ intro was horribly obnoxious. I had already seen Paul Dano on Main St. subbing in for a bongo drummer in a street band, big pink hat on his head, and big dumb grin on his face. I can’t stand that guy.
And I can’t seem to believe he is old enough to be a college teacher either, which is the character he plays in this movie. I’m boring myself trying to remember the plot, but suffice to say it was pretentious and reeked of literature-hipsters. (Library hipsters? Hip-lit? Is that a term yet?)
A few misogynist and fart jokes later, John C. Reilly makes an appearance as the best part of the film— the Grandfather-Twilight-bearded neighbor who doesn’t speak a word. It was brilliant.
The rest? Not so much. I’d love to love you, Kevin Kline, but the writing just felt stale. The characters’ eccentricities felt forced and trite. And I’m just getting really sick of Paul Dano’s face. Play a different character for once, guy. Directors: Cast a different conservative loner for once. I should have left when the opening credits read, “Based on the novel by Jonathan Ames.” I’m out.
