Rating of
2/4
Crosses the Line
Franz Patrick - wrote on 11/19/08
I’m so close to giving this movie a one star out of four. The only reason why I didn’t is that it managed to make me laugh out loud with its crude humor… when it doesn’t cross the line. And that’s my main problem with this picture: it crosses the line… multiple times without having some sort of heart that justifies why we should care for the characters. I know that this is supposed to be a dark comedy so being crude and mean comes with the territory (like in “Bad Santa” and “Fargo”). A main character that doesn’t have a filter can be loveable but if that character does not have a single redeeming quality, it just doesn’t work. I was insulted that this picture even dared the audience to sympathize with Danny McBride’s character. Not only is he a jerk (he physically takes out his anger out on his students), I believe he deserves to be cheated on by his wife (Mary Jane Bostic). It’s disappointing because the funny material is there but it just needed to know the exact moments regarding when to cross the line so the audience don’t feel bad about watching the film. Also, the filmmakers did not have to result to humor regarding bodily functions. This definitely reminded me of “The Office,” which is one of the main aspects I liked about it, because McBride reminded me of Steve Carell’s character (but without heart)–he thinks he’s the best and that people love him… when, in reality, they really, really cannot stand him. This is a big disappointment and I’d rather not watch it again any time soon.
