Tropic Thunder-- a laugh riot
When most films today follow the PC ordinances of the time and shy away from pushing the envelope, Tropic Thunder takes full aim toward the hypocrisies. What makes this film so great, not because it's hysterically funny, is that it targets everything that Americans hold dear (at least in terms of our one and only commodity-- entertainment). Politically charged, it's a statement on race relations, homosexuality, celebrity adoption and historical stupidity. Black or white it plays on America's insecurities, trivialities and arrogance.
Essentially at the story's core, it's a satirical film about the Hollywood industry. It presents 5 absurdly goofy actors that are entirely self-absorbed that find themselves in a very dangerous unscripted situation. Never really knowing or trusting that they've been left without the support of a behind-the-scenes crew, the hysterics come from their internalized struggles of Hollywood success, box office competition and general idiosyncratic psychoses. Paired with self-serving studio executives and agents, this film spares no one to ridicule. Although the film's over-the-top action and pratfall sequences can be seen as sophomoric and boorish (even going so far as crude at times), it's making a statement about the absurdity of the million dollar expenses going into making Hollywood films.
But it's the subtleties (and there are many) that make this film worth watching. Nick Nolte plays the hack author of this Vietnam-based "real-life" story where he is not actually what he seems to be. And neither are Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Cruise. Mr. Downey, deeply in character and going to the extreme of being politically incorrect, single handedly takes this movie from B-level to A. His comic timing and subversive wit will have you wearing out the rewind button on your DVD player. Going from an Aussie to an American Black man, Downey is convincing as a deranged method actor among all the chaos. Often offending the true Black man on set, played by newcomer Brandon T. Jackson, he is successful in presenting how far we've come to joking openly about race relations in this country. Meanwhile Mr. Cruise, completely out of character from those hero roles he regularly chooses, plays a spitfire self-serving bastard executive. And he plays it with such fun pizzazz. Look into Tom's past credits (Collateral, Magnolia, Interview with a Vampire, Vanilla Sky) and you will find he plays villains and the antagonist so very well. For being so under-appreciated for his acting range and criticized at his own idiosyncrasies, this movie is a gesture of poking fun not only of himself but also reaffirming why he's the biggest box office grossing actor in the world.
And what about the director Ben Stiller? Although not one of my favorite performers, he wrote, directed, produced and starred in this film. Quite a feat for the man usually playing it straight or simply falling over his own two feet. Although the story is so much more involved (and evolved), he's largely written a buddy movie. And like Lethal Weapon, he's bundled together action, wit and male bonding into one grand and yummy Sloppy Joe.
Tropic Thunder is a close second to my favorite film of its kind, Bowfinger. I hope you take this pleasure trip and find it as enjoyable as I have. Kudos to all those who put forth the effort toward this truly funny and smart comedy.
To watch trailer: www.IMDB.com/VIDEO/TROPICTHUNDER/
posted by Only The Lonely @ 12:36 PM
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