Reviews

The movie is great, for what it is. I am a loyal fan of the show and the cast and they did a good job of making a movie version of the series. However, it is important to note that this process is very difficult and the movie appears to be more of a long episode of the show. Nevertheless, it is enjoyable, with jokes that are easily accessible to those who have a clue about the world, and makes fun of those who do not. Paul Dinello, Stephen Colbert, Amy Sedaris...all brilliant. Ms. Sedaris, a slight, cute woman in reality is vulgar and wonderfully crude. Stephen Colbert does a great job of being the born again Christian teacher (note the table of elements in the background of his classroom-it's in the shape of a cross!). And Paul Dinello is a reliable, humorous counterpart to Mr. Colbert once again. Parodying society in a parallel universe of a twisted after school special, it is wonderfully enjoyable.

We're all in it for the long, dysfunctional haul is the tone and message sent throughout the movie. The acting is wonderful, the meaning well done, and purpose clear. It is a refreshing movie that, although somewhat dark in tone, left me feeling restored as I left the theater. Steve Carell successfully makes the jump from the comedy of The 40 Year Old Virgin and The Office to the suicidal, almost defeated character in this film. Alan Arkin does beautifully as the gruff, hardened grandfather with a special connection with his granddaughter. And it's very nice to see a young girl being played by someone other than Dakota Fanning (finally). The directing is done beautifully and the script leaves room for humor in even the darkest of moments in the plot. Bravo.

About a year ago I finally gave up on American television. I thought of giving up television completely until a friend who had lived in England showed me some programs that included The Office, Extras, Blackadder, and The League of Gentlemen. It was then that I decided to switch to British television. Among all the shows listed above, The League of Gentlemen is easily the most dark and twisted of them all, providing guilty laughs and material not found in any other comedy I've seen yet. Characters included are the most unhappily married couple, a butcher that puts ingredients in the meat that go unsaid (probably for the best), a deranged couple that look over a local shop that only caters to local people, and the worst veterinarian ever. This program is one of the best I've seen.