GET HIM TO THE GREEK
An ambitious young record company executive attempts to transport an unpredictable rock star to L.A.'s Greek Theatre in time for his hotly anticipated comeback performance in this spin-off of the comedy hit Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Aaron Green (Jonah Hill) has just landed his dream job in the record industry, and he's eager to prove his worth. His first assignment: travel to London and escort British rock god Aldous Snow (Russell Brand) to the show that will re-ignite his career. Before he departs, Aaron is warned by his boss Sergio Roma (Sean Combs) to never let Aldous out of his sight, and never underestimate his capacity for mayhem. Immensely talented yet deeply tortured, Aldous hit the bottle hard after his popularity began to wane and his girl walked out on him. Aldous is locked in the midst of an existential crisis, and rues the thought of being accompanied across the pond by an insincere sycophant. Though it seems like sex is the only thing Aldous ever thinks about, his thoughts turn to romance when he discovers that gorgeous model/pop singer Jackie Q (Rose Byrne) will be in Los Angeles at the time of his concert, too. Jackie Q is the love of Aldous' life, and he'll do anything and everything to win her heart. With the concert fast approaching and Aaron's fledgling career on the line, the race is on to get Aldous to the Greek, and ensure the big show goes off without a hitch. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
Director: Nick Stoller
Cast: Jonah Hill, Russell Brand, Rose Byrne, Sean Combs, Elisabeth Moss.
Release Date: Jun 04, 2010
Rated: strong sexual content, pervasive language and drug use throughout
Runtime: 1 hr. 49 min.
Genres: Comedy
Review:
A sort of but not really sequel to Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek is tad like a rollercoaster ride. It’s most entertaining in the middle but comes to a jarring halt, fun wise, in the last act. Sadly, the emotional angle falls flat and since the 3rd act deals with it primarily it leaves you feeling way too detached from the Spinal Tap light fun. Nick Stoller, who also directed Forgetting Sarah Marshall, finds some good energy and moves the proceedings along at a brisk pace. Stoller doesn’t over direct the film and allows the strongest part of the film, Brand and Hill’s on screen chemistry, to do the heavy lifting. Russell Brand does fantastic work reprising his faux rock star alter ego Aldous Snow. Brand is just so comfortable on screen as Snow it kind of makes me wonder if we are just looking at him as opposed to a character. Johan Hill provides a good counter point to Brand’s unchecked insanity as the super up tight record label peon. Hill has an excellent understated quality about him that allows him to emote with only minor facial reactions. This gives his character a nice honest heart. Elisabeth Moss is good fun as Aaron’s girlfriend in a limited role. Sean Combs has an innate ability to suck any and all comedy or fun out of scene as he tries desperately to play record version of Tom Cruise’s character from Tropic Thunder and fails miserably. He’s such a dead spot and detracts from some of the funnier moments of the film. Music industry stars pop in cameos giving the film a nice authentic touch, along with some raunchy but funny song lyrics for Snow.
C+
