Bad Words Review
RYAN: This movie marks the directorial debut of Jason Bateman who has arguably had one of the most enviably careers in Hollywood, when you track him from child star on TV through now. He seamlessly transitioned unlike so many who try and fail. I don’t recall any publicized drama in his lifetime, he looks great, he’s funny, successful and now this. He also stars and he must have seen the script and immediately though, “Oh I got this!” This role is him.
CHUCK: And he’s had some directing experience in TV prior to this. But Yeah he had to know right away this was up his alley. The role plays on his good guy persona but pushes the envelope. There’s something very everyman about him.
RYAN: Totally. He’s mostly known for comedy so he’s very at home with this genre and I like it’s R rated because they can have more fun with it and cross the line. He’s playing an obnoxious guy but he’s still just sun a likable person, doing despicable things and that’s just where the comedy comes in.
CHUCK: Any other actor would make this character really turn you off but because it’s him, you still like him. He’s doing abysmal things.. to children. And it’s hilarious.
RYAN: The supporting cast is really good: Allison Janney who is one of the best, Racahel Harris was brillz – she totally had a Madeline Kahn moment, Kathryn Hahn finally has a female lead and handled so well.
CHUCK: And Ben Falcone was great. Initially I didn’t think Kathryn was that funny but she had some of the best moments – just frickin’ hilarious!
RYAN: It’s good comedy but as is a sign of some of the best comedic films, there’s also some drama and a lot of heart to the story. Like, take Breidsmaids – there was a lot of heartache in that.
CHUCK: Absolutely. Three’s always a good sense of commitment to any great comedy and can we talk about the kid?
RYAN: Roahn Chand. He was in Jack and Jill and a couple other credits but this is his biggest role so far. So good.
CHUCK: He was just fantastic.
RYAN: This can’t be an easy role for a kid to pull off. He had to be smart and have comedic timing to pull this role off and he did it.
CHUCK: The movie gives off a School of Rock vibe.
RYAN: And Jason proves to be a solid director. It has an indie vibe kinda like Stranger Than Fiction.
CHUCK: Yeah I can see that too. It has that quality to it.
RYAN: It’ll LOL at times and really sweet at others. It’s a perfect balance and at only 90 minutes, about a spelling bee, it movies. If you’re age appropriate, enjoy it.
