The Hangover
Galifianakis, Cooper and Helms in The Hangover
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Monday, 08, Jun 2009 04:09
Directed by Todd Phillips, out June 12th in cinemas, starring Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, Justin Bartha, Heather Graham, running time 100 mins.
In a nutshell.
What happens in Vegas. is a mystery.
What's it all about?
It's the morning after the night before and three groomsmen (Cooper, Helms, Galifianakis) wake up in a trashed Las Vegas hotel suite with the groom (Bartha) nowhere to be seen - with pounding heads, and new room-mates who really shouldn't be there, the trio must piece together the events of the least successful bachelor party in history.
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Who's in it?
Bradley Cooper (Phil) is the best known of the cast, having recently starred in Yes Man and He's Just Not That Into You, while fans of The Daily Show or NBC's superb version of The Office will recognise the hilarious Ed Helms as dentist - not doctor - Stu. National Treasure star Justin Bartha is our little-seen groom Doug with stand-up veteran Zach Galifianakis staking his claim for comedy stardom as the child-like Alan. Co-stars include Heather Graham and Arrested Development's much-loved Jeffrey Tambor.
Director Todd Philips was Oscar-nominated for his contribution to the Borat screenplay in 2006, and is also the director of Road Trip (2000), Old School (2003), Starsky and Hutch (2004) and School for Scoundrels (2006).
As an example.
"Remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. except for herpes. that s**t'll come back with you." - Sid
"It's not illegal, it's frowned upon - like masturbating on a plane." - Alan
Stu's song.
Likelihood of a trip to the Oscars
Expect at least a nomination at every awards show with a best comedy category.
What the others say
"Just as a marriage is built on love and promises kept, so can a bromance. The Hangover honours and cherishes that idea in slickness and stealth, and will have audiences unsure of how to say Zach Galifianakis but certain he's a star." - Nick Rogers, Stare Journal Register
"An exemplary bromantic comedy that doesn't sacrifice heart in pursuit of laughs, maintaining plenty of the former and a superabundance of the latter." - Simon Braund, Empire
So is it any good?
While Road Trip always felt an inferior cousin to 1999's American Pie - partly thanks to Seann William Scott doing little more than reprising a Stifler performance - 2003's Old School rightly quickened Will Ferrell's ascent to international renown and gave noughties twentysomethings our generation's equivalent of Animal House. Todd Phillips' track record behind the camera had faltered since then, but with this a return to his comfort zone - male ensemble comedy with a hint of gross-out and a large portion of puerility - he's likely to have his biggest hit yet.
With experienced, if relatively unknown, stars and a tried and tested premise, it's little surprise that a potential sequel to the film had already given the green light before The Hangover had even made its impressive US debut - what's more of a shock is just how comfortable you'll find spending 100 hilarious minutes with faces you might not have seen that often but who've fast-tracked themselves to stardom.
Cooper had put in fine supporting work in The Wedding Crashers and He's Just Not That Into You but proves himself an adept leading man here, while fans of The Office will already be familiar with Helms' ability to convince as a buttoned-down pot of frustration just minutes away from reaching boiling point. It's Galifianakis' show, however, with the one-time busboy announcing his move to the big leagues with an outstanding and odd performance that combines John Belushi hangdog looks, Tom Green's unhinged insanity and a childlike enthusiasm that makes you wonder if he's actually an incredibly hirsute nine-year-old.
Though its frenetic pace and commendable laugh-count are at the heart of The Hangover's success, its relative darkness in comparison to the output of Apatow Productions is hugely refreshing. If any lessons are learnt here, it's not to cherish the love of your best friend, but to keep a hand over your glass at all times and resist the urge to go stealing at Mike Tyson's house.
There's some humour that might be too near-the-knuckle for some tastes, but the belly laughs are as large as Galifianakis' own paunch and with an inventive take on a potentially tired format, and chemistry between the three leads that suggests years of friendship, this is a hangover you won't want to cure.
9/10
Lewis Bazley