Rating of
3/4
Knuckle Draggers: Even I Can Relate
Chris Kavan - wrote on 07/03/09
I'm usually not the person to go to for romantic comedies as I haven't found many I like. However, the reason this ranks higher than most is it takes a common theme yet makes it completely relatable to even someone as rom/com adverse as I am.
Despite the L.A. setting, the characters are all believable. The main problem I have with most of these films is that I can never imagine myself in that kind of situation - Knuck Draggers, however, seems like something that could be happening right now, if not to me, then to someone I could imagine. I mean, the guys do things regular guys would do - play video games, talk movies, get together and drink, try to pick up chicks - and it doesn't feel forced.
The characters also have personalities that you will find in real life - there are no hookers with hearts of gold or charming English gentlemen here - you have Kyle the confident, straight-forward man's man who isn't afraid to speak his mind - Ethan, the down-to-earth, quieter, would-be director, younger brother of Kyle who just go dumped and needs to find his manly backbone - Russell and Renee, the mostly happy couple that I'm sure most people who have been together for any amount of time can relate to and grrl Patricia, the foil to Kyle.
All the characters have enough depth to grow and are grounded enough that it seems like you could walk around the corner and run into any one of them. The cast are probably not going to be as well known, but in this case it helps the film as it further grounds it in reality. It's hard enough to relate without having to put myself in Tom Hanks or Brad Pitt's shoes.
I do think this movie would benefit more from a group viewing, as alone it seemed to drag just a bit. There wasn't as much comedy as I was expecting - although there are standout scenes, my particular favorites being Ethan being shot down at the bar (every time) and what I'll refer to as the head-shot party. This isn't a laugh-out-loud type of movie, but it usually leaves you smiling.
My only other major problem is the ending feels rushed and ties things up a little too nicely, but somehow it was how I expected things to go. My final recommendation is that this is a better-than average romance comedy that defies typical convention by being, well, more normal. If you want a film that real people can relate to, men and women, then track this one down. It may offer a story that's been played out, but presents it in such a way that you can believe it again.
