Much as I hate to say it, Judd Apatow’s recent
production-efforts seem to be destroying the good reputation
that he built-up in Hollywood last summer with the double-whammy
success-story of Knocked Up (which he wrote and directed)
and Superbad (which he did not). First, the insipid John
C. Reilly-vehicle Walk Hard marked a nightmarish
wrong-turn for Apatow’s oeuvre. His latest attempt at comedic
and box-office gold, Drillbit Taylor, reaffirms the
suggestion that Apatow should only back films that he and
Superbad director Greg Motolla make themselves. Unlike
Drillbit Taylor helmer Steven Brill, perhaps they would’ve
had the directorial foresight to realize that the film’s script,
written by Kristofor Brown and Seth Rogen, is devoid of any
funny punch-lines. In fact, I didn’t laugh out loud a single
time as I watched the movie – not a good sign when it is
purportedly supported by a man who has the capacity to deal out
chuckles by the bushel. Sure, I cracked a few smiles at
Drillbit Taylor, but they were mostly due to the charm of
the lead performances of Owen Wilson, Nate Hartley, Troy
Gentile, and Ian Roberts. Truth be told, there actually isn’t
anything inherently wrong with the movie—it moves along
pleasantly as it chronicles a bum’s (Wilson) attempt to exploit
three high-school-aged geeks when he takes a job as their “body
guard”—but it also lacks any signs of inspiration. Unfortunately
for the movie, there’s nothing worse than a comedy that promises
laughs but doesn’t deliver them. (For the record, Apatow’s next
entry to his resume as a producer, Forgetting Sarah Marshall,
doesn’t fare much better than this one.) It’s kind of sad that
my favorite parts of Drillbit Taylor were those in which
I found my mouth watering over Leslie Mann’s sexy supporting
character (ridiculous as the role may be), but such is the
truth. For now, all I can do is hope that Mr. Apatow comes back
to the good side of the Force when he pairs up with
proven-talent David Gordon Green for The Pineapple Express
later this year.
-Danny Baldwin, Bucket Reviews
Review Published on: 3.24.2008
Screened on: 3.21.2008 at the Del Mar Highlands 8 in Del
Mar, CA.
