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Review #188 of 365
Film: Strangers with Candy [R] 97 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $8.00
Where Viewed: Landmark Mayan Theatre, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 18 July 2006
Time: 5:00 p.m.
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DVD |
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
From the outset, I have to admit that I never saw the three-season, Comedy Central show, "Strangers with Candy". So, I had to do a little research prior to writing this review so as not to completely insult the most likely people to read it—fans of the show trying to figure out if they should see the movie and people like myself who never saw the show trying to figure out if they should see the movie. Unfortunately, my research left me confused as to why they even made the movie in the first place . It appears that the movie brings back many of the original cast members including, of course, Amy Sedaris as Jerri Blank, Stephen Colbert as Chuck Noblet, Paul Dinello (who also directs the film) as Geoffry Jellineck, Greg Hollimon as Principal Onyx Blackman, and Deborah Rush as Jerri's step mother, Sara Blank, which I suppose will please original fans. Most of these actors and characters will provide no particular relevance to people who were not fans of the show, however. The plot, again according to research, seems to resurrect quite a lot of ground that apparently was covered in the tv show. So, was this movie made to draw people who haven't seen the show or as a big screen homage to fans of the show? That is unclear. Also, confusing is that the film apparently sat on the shelf for two years awaiting release. In any case, there seems to be no possible way to ascertain if people who were fans of the show should see the film. If you enjoyed the humor of the show, apparently you are in for much of the same, but not a lot that's new. If you were not a fan of the show, you should avoid the film for the same reasons. If you never saw the show in the first place, and you enjoy Saturday Night Live humor pushed to Comedy Central extremes, then the film could serve as a good introduction to "Strangers with Candy" prior to your decision to purchase seasons 1-3.
As a person that really enjoys a good SNL sketch, but who also realizes that often times these do not transition well into feature-length films precisely because the characters or the gags are insufficiently funny to carry the entire film—recall Wayne's World—I found myself growing tired by the end of Jerri Blank's material. Her bit is that she's a 40+ year-old woman who lived a life mostly in and out of prison for drugs and alchol who has had a revelation that she can bring her Daddy (Dan Hedaya) back from his 30-year coma if only she finally does something good in high school. So, she heads back to school with the permission but skepticism of Principal Blackman (Greg Hollimon) and a complete lack of support from her step-mother (Deborah Rush) and step-brother (Joseph Cross). At school, she has a devil of a time fitting in, to no one's surprise but her own. She does manage to make a few friends when she commits to a science fair team which includes Megawatti Sacarnaputri (Carlo Alban) and Tammi Littlenut (Maria Thayer) under the direction of science teacher turned born-again-Christian, Chuck Noblet (Stephen Colbert). As it happens, Principal Blackman is thrilled by the science fair competition after a visit from School Board Officials, Henry and Alice, wickedly portrayed by Philip Seymour Hoffman and Allison Janney, reveals that he has just one week to prove the students at his school are better than average or repay the school board all funds spent this year—which he's used to pay off gambling debts so short of this miraculous victory in the state science fair, he's headed to prison. Ms. Janey and Mr. Hoffman are not the only great cameos in the film. Matthew Broderick shows up as the 'secret weapon' science teacher, Roger Beekman, brought in by Principal Blackman to stir up the pot and get Mr. Noblet to take things a bit more seriously, and Sarah Jessica Parker takes a small role as Peggy Callas, the School's grief counselor who 'helps' Jerrie cope with her father being in a coma. Fans of "Everwood" may enjoy seeing Chris Pratt play the high school hunk, Brason, who becomes the object of Jerri's one-sided affection and the downfall of her science fair team when she lets him 'have' their plans for their project, and they subsequently end up in the hands of the rival Mr. Beekman's team.
As a person that really enjoys a good SNL sketch, but who also realizes that often times these do not transition well into feature-length films precisely because the characters or the gags are insufficiently funny to carry the entire film—recall Wayne's World—I found myself growing tired by the end of Jerri Blank's material. Her bit is that she's a 40+ year-old woman who lived a life mostly in and out of prison for drugs and alchol who has had a revelation that she can bring her Daddy (Dan Hedaya) back from his 30-year coma if only she finally does something good in high school. So, she heads back to school with the permission but skepticism of Principal Blackman (Greg Hollimon) and a complete lack of support from her step-mother (Deborah Rush) and step-brother (Joseph Cross). At school, she has a devil of a time fitting in, to no one's surprise but her own. She does manage to make a few friends when she commits to a science fair team which includes Megawatti Sacarnaputri (Carlo Alban) and Tammi Littlenut (Maria Thayer) under the direction of science teacher turned born-again-Christian, Chuck Noblet (Stephen Colbert). As it happens, Principal Blackman is thrilled by the science fair competition after a visit from School Board Officials, Henry and Alice, wickedly portrayed by Philip Seymour Hoffman and Allison Janney, reveals that he has just one week to prove the students at his school are better than average or repay the school board all funds spent this year—which he's used to pay off gambling debts so short of this miraculous victory in the state science fair, he's headed to prison. Ms. Janey and Mr. Hoffman are not the only great cameos in the film. Matthew Broderick shows up as the 'secret weapon' science teacher, Roger Beekman, brought in by Principal Blackman to stir up the pot and get Mr. Noblet to take things a bit more seriously, and Sarah Jessica Parker takes a small role as Peggy Callas, the School's grief counselor who 'helps' Jerrie cope with her father being in a coma. Fans of "Everwood" may enjoy seeing Chris Pratt play the high school hunk, Brason, who becomes the object of Jerri's one-sided affection and the downfall of her science fair team when she lets him 'have' their plans for their project, and they subsequently end up in the hands of the rival Mr. Beekman's team.
"…an irreverent film with very edgy comedy… Amy Sedaris…is the USA version of Tracey Ullman."
The script is hilarious in places yet redundant in others. The acting is all very good, but in the sense that it is good in SNL sketches. These are funny people playing funny characters, but how many times can Chuck Noblet breaking down into tears be funny? How many times can Jerri Blank, trying to act like she's a 16-year old chewing gum with her mouth open and trying to seduce way-out-of-her-generation-let-alone-looks-category high school jocks, be funny? How many times can crude interactions between Jerri and her evil step-mother be funny? I would say no more than twice each. Unfortunately, the script expects people to find these funny over and over again. This expectation is more easily fulfilled in a weekly series where there is down time in between than it does in a feature.
All tolled, the film version Strangers with Candy is an irreverent film with very edgy comedy some of which is racist but all of which is outlandish. The film does not make me want to rush right out and buy the series. It did not appeal to me in any significant way. I do, however, know that the show had its following, and that there are plenty of people who will find the film quite entertaining. Thank goodness there are all sorts of people with all manners of senses of humor. This keeps movies interesting if not always as entertaining. Certainly, there is no mistaking the talent of Amy Sedaris. She is the USA version of Tracey Ullman. Likewise, Stephen Colbert and Paul Dinello have created fabulous characters who are emotionally funny on many levels. There was an incredible amount of talent involved for such a mostly unremarkable result.
All tolled, the film version Strangers with Candy is an irreverent film with very edgy comedy some of which is racist but all of which is outlandish. The film does not make me want to rush right out and buy the series. It did not appeal to me in any significant way. I do, however, know that the show had its following, and that there are plenty of people who will find the film quite entertaining. Thank goodness there are all sorts of people with all manners of senses of humor. This keeps movies interesting if not always as entertaining. Certainly, there is no mistaking the talent of Amy Sedaris. She is the USA version of Tracey Ullman. Likewise, Stephen Colbert and Paul Dinello have created fabulous characters who are emotionally funny on many levels. There was an incredible amount of talent involved for such a mostly unremarkable result.
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Strangers With Candy [DVD] (2005)
Strangers With Candy: The Complete Series [DVD]
Strangers With Candy: Season 3 [DVD] (2000)
Strangers With Candy: The Complete Series [DVD]
Strangers With Candy: Season 3 [DVD] (2000)
Movies and TV shows starring:
Amy Sedaris
• Stephen Colbert • Paul DinelloMatthew Broderick
• Sarah Jessica Parker • Chris PrattGreg Hollimon
• Justin Theroux • Ian HolmSarah Thyre
• Dan Hedaya • Philip Seymour HoffmanAllison Janney
• Kristen Johnston • Deborah Rush| DVD | ||
| Related DVD | Related DVD | Related DVD |
Strangers with Candy Review-lite [150-word cap]
I never saw Comedy Central's, "Strangers with Candy". The movie brings back many of the original cast members including, of course, Amy Sedaris (Jerri Blank), Stephen Colbert (Chuck Noblet), Paul Dinello (Geoffry Jellineck), Greg Hollimon (Principal Onyx Blackman), and Deborah Rush (Jerri's step mother), which should please original fans. Unfortunately, it seems there is not a lot new to the film that wasn't in the show. If you never saw the show, and you enjoy Saturday Night Live humor pushed to Comedy Central extremes, then the film could serve as a good introduction prior to your decision to purchase seasons 1-3. All tolled, the film version Strangers with Candy is an irreverent film with very edgy comedy. There is no mistaking the talent of Amy Sedaris--the USA version of Tracey Ullman. Still, there was an incredible amount of talent involved for such a mostly unremarkable result.
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