Sudden Freedoms
Rated: R Sexual content, graphic nudity, language and drug use.
Release Date: February 24, 2012
Runtime: 1 hr 38 mins
Release Date: February 24, 2012
Runtime: 1 hr 38 mins
Director: David Wain
Writers: David Wain, Ken Marino
Cast: Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston, Justin Theroux, Alan Alda, Malin Akerman, Ken Marino
Cast: Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston, Justin Theroux, Alan Alda, Malin Akerman, Ken Marino
SYNOPSIS: When George finds himself out of a job, he and his wife Linda must vacate their life in New York City to etch out a life under his brother's roof and employment in Atlanta. A simple twist of fate brings them to a voluntary community where they feel they can start fresh.
REVIEW: David Wain, director of Role Models and Wet Hot American Summer, returns to the big screen with a screenplay he wrote with Role Models co-writer and actor Ken Marino. Re-teaming with Paul Rudd, Wain and Marino bring forth a raunchy and fun romp based on repression and shedding of inhibitions.
REVIEW: David Wain, director of Role Models and Wet Hot American Summer, returns to the big screen with a screenplay he wrote with Role Models co-writer and actor Ken Marino. Re-teaming with Paul Rudd, Wain and Marino bring forth a raunchy and fun romp based on repression and shedding of inhibitions.
New Yorkers George (Paul Rudd, Dinner for Schmucks) and Linda (Jennifer Aniston, Horrible Bosses) try to make a living in the Big Apple, buying a small piece of real estate nearly beyond their employment means. When Linda's documentary is not picked up by HBO and George's job suddenly disappears due to an FBI investigation, they are forced to leave New York City altogether and head down to Atlanta to live with and work for George's brother Rick (Ken Marino, Role Models) and his wife Marissa (Michaela Watkins, Enlightened). On the way down to Atlanta, George and Linda unsuspectingly come across Elysium, a bed and breakfast that is actually a commune. They stay the night and have a wonderful time before packing up and making the final push to Atlanta. When George is pushed to the breaking point by his brother's sarcasm and success, he tells Linda to pack up again to head back to the voluntary community where they seems to find happiness for the first time in some time. But as they settle into the 'what's mine is your', free love community, George and Linda both have revelations about each of their lives and their relationship together.
Wanderlust is a raunchy romp in the spirit of films you come to expect from Rudd, Wain and Marino projects. Filled with full frontal nudity and references to what is on display 'down there', Wanderlust still has plenty of laughs and nervous interactions between Rudd's George, Aniston's Linda, and a menagerie of characters that truly flesh out the silliness of the story. Self proclaimed non-hippie Seth (Justin Theroux, Your Highness) leads the pack with his quasi-mystical ways, enamoring Linda and off-putting George. Carvin (Alan Alda, Tower Heist) owns the Elysium but can't find the deed to the place. Sexy and free-loving Eva (Malin Akerman, The Proposal) enjoys life and hopes to share some of her free-loving with George. Rounding out the cast is Kathy (Kerri Kenney, Reno: 911!) as the hippie-dippy matriarch, ex-porn actress and current earthy hempstress Karen (Kathryn Hahn, Our Idiot Brother), pregnant Almond (Lauren Ambrose, Where the Wild Things Are) and her super laid back partner Rodney (Jordan Peele, Little Fockers), and nudist wine-maker aspiring writer Wayne (Joe Lo Truglio, Paul).
Not taking itself too seriously Wain brings plenty of hilarious bits to the screen, including a acoustic guitar Spin Doctors showdown between George and Seth, and a pep talk between George, a mirror and the topic of 'doing it'. Rudd has great comic timing as the frustrated straight-man. Alda still has his Hawkeye Pierce M*A*S*H chops as he moves around in a Rascal. And Aniston, with years of Friends under her belt, brings radiance, beauty and her own sweetness to the mix.
Through all of the silliness, there is a more serious undertone trying to harsh the hazy buzz. George and Linda struggle with the repressed issues of their relationship. Attorneys for a casino look to break ground on the commune property and scatter the residents to the four winds. Seth looks to assert his alpha maleness over Linda, with or without George's permission. And George and Linda deal with how they can create a productive and positive experience at the voluntary community.
Wanderlust takes advantage of the creative juices that most of the cast bring to set. Some scenes make the entire film worthwhile, making you giggle long after the scene in over. The story is light, but also suffers from a lack of closure on a couple of subplots, especially between Rick and Marissa, and between George and Rick.
Funny and silly, and filled with quirky characters and strange happenings that make outsiders like George and Linda wonder why they continue to make the decisions they do, Wanderlust entertains. Keep in mind that the full frontal nudity may shock more sensitive viewers, but barring extra appendages in one's face, you will surely get a rise out of this comedy.
WORTH: Matinee or Rental
Good write-up. Wanderlust is pretty uneven but there were actually many moments where I couldn’t stop but laugh at mainly because of this great cast. Let me also not forget to mention the one scene where it’s just Paul Rudd improving for about 3 minutes all by himself. That was definitely worth the price of admission. Check out my review when you get the chance.
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