HAMLET 2
RYAN: I was a little hesitant to see “Hamlet 2” since it’s a small indie film that I didn’t know much about, and usually during the summer I’m more in the mood for the big blockbusters. But I was so pleasantly surprised by this film!
CAROLINE: Well, that’s why you have me; I’m here to tell you what the good movies are. I’d read a lot about this movie a few months ago and was hotly anticipating it since everyone seemed to be calling it “the little indie that could.” And once I heard it was about a failed actor turned drama teacher putting on a high school musical, I knew it had our names written all over it. Thus I dragged you to a screening.
RYAN: Thank God you did! The cast is fantastic and just as good, if not better, is the writing.
CAROLINE: It’s so clever and funny. I spent the first 45 minutes laughing my ass off. Unfortunately, I didn’t find as many laughs in the second half of the film, but Steve Coogan is so freaking funny as the teacher. I laughed at him so much in the beginning that I actually thought I might be bothering other people in the theater.
RYAN: He’s equal parts Steve Carell, Martin Short and Gene Wilder. He even looks a little Willy Wonka-ish to me.
CAROLINE: We saw him earlier this summer as the casino manager in “Finding Amanda” and of course loved him as the director in “Tropic Thunder.” The kids who play his students are phenomenal too; I recognized a couple of them from Broadway’s “Spring Awakening,” which I saw recently. It’s just a very cute, funny, original movie that’s dramatic at the same time.
RYAN: Elisabeth Shue is in it playing herself in one of the funniest performances I’ve ever seen.
CAROLINE: I loved her willingness to mock herself completely. Catherine Keener’s in it too, and she’s always fab. The whole cast is great – there’s also Amy Poehler and David Arquette, who’s in it for maybe five minutes. He might have had three lines.
RYAN: I think it was more like two lines; I counted. I don’t even know why he’s in this movie. He’s so zero body fat. The man has clearly been working out.
CAROLINE: He’s definitely working on his fitness and hitting the protein shakes. He’s pretty much wasted in this role though.
RYAN: This isn’t a deep movie, but it’s compelling, and as far as independent films go, this has got to be one of the best ever.
CAROLINE: I just hope it emerges as a sleeper hit this summer because it really is so funny and original. And it’s got a great cast of people you’ll recognize so even if you don’t dig small films, it’s not like it’s full of unknown actors.
RYAN: And even though I’m sure it’s much less improvised, it reminded me of a really good Christopher Guest film. It has the same kind of sensibility. I’d even love to see this cast get together again for another film.
CAROLINE: The whole movie has a very “Waiting for Guffman” feel. Bottom line?
RYAN: I highly recommend this movie. It’s excellent and it should be at the top of your list this month, especially since the blockbusters are dying down.
CAROLINE: For anyone who loved the movie “Camp” or was a high school theater geek, you will love this movie. Steve Coogan is my new favorite! He’s absolutely hilarious.