Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

Starring John C. Reilly, Jenna Fischer & Kristen Wiig

"Knocked Up," "Superbad," and "Walk Hard" are the trio of films produced by Judd Apatow (he also wrote "Knocked Up" & "Walk Hard" and directed the first). So, in a year of Apatow, a closer examination of the three will bring us a review of the last: "Walk Hard." "Knocked Up" brought us laugh after laugh of showing us humor. "Superbad" was all about ridiculous dialogue. While "Walk Hard" knocks off the biopics, giving us both physical and dialogue humor. However, it wasn't as good as either of the summer hits, and why it's nominated for a Golden Globe is beyond me.

It's lead man, John C. Reilly, put so much of himself into the character of Dewey Cox that it was both hilarious and too much all at the same time. Now, don't get me wrong - I laughed a lot during "Walk Hard," but in retrospect, I can't really remember why. Nothing sticks with the film. It's too elongated in time (not the running time) and covers too much history to feel right.

Other than Reilly, my favorite performance was Kristen Wiig as Edith, Dewey's first wife. Creating a comedic side to the infringed wife of Johnny Cash in "Walk the Line," Wiig brings true absurdity to her disheveled life with Cox. She's the only supporting performer that is both funny and true to the role. Wiig and Reilly relate stupidity to reality. Jenna Fischer, on the other hand, is just trying to have fun, but grounds herself in an amateur performance. But she's still super hot.

All in all, "Walk Hard" was a funny, ridiculous epic biopic tracking the life of Dewey Cox: made up rock star. Oh, it has a descent soundtrack (I guess) and The Beatles scene in India is the best part of the film, thanks to George (Justin Long), Paul (Jack Black), Ringo (Jason Schwartzman) and Mr. John Lennon (Paul Rudd).

Grade: B-

Knocked Up

Knocked Up
Starring Katherine Heigl and Seth Rogen

In a summer full of blockbuster trilogies, "Knocked Up," from director Judd Apatow ("Talladega Nights," "40 Year Old Virgin," and "Anchorman"), is the side-slitting, breath-of-fresh-air comedy of the year. The story follows two young twenty-somethings, Allison (Katherine Heigl) and Ben (Seth Rogen). Being presently promoted to host on an E! television show, Allison and her whiny, dirty-mouthed sister Debbie (Leslie Mann) take a trip to an L.A. hot spot to celebrate. There Allison meets Ben, an unshaven, pot-smoking, chubby, unemployed guy who buys her a drink. When Debbie leaves, Allison and Ben hit it off; Allison looking to celebrate and Ben thinking "I've never had sex with a hot girl!" In a so-called calamity of events, Allison becomes pregnant.

The humor in "Knocked Up" comes from both the antipodean relationship between Allison and Ben and their friends and family caught in the background of the 9-month mistake. The typical Hollywood leash wrapped around "Knocked Up" is that their character opposition, both physically and emotionally, causes the two to fall in love, struggle with this thought, and then, of course, fall back into the swing of things. I'm usually a fan of endings that are atypical of Hollywood feel-good flicks, but for "Knocked Up," I fell for it. Because of the realism of the movie, you become so caught up in the characters that you can't help but root for them. And "Knocked Up's" realistic capabilities is what holds the film together, allowing it to stray from the cheese so many romantic comedies find themselves devouring. The dialogue is so raunchy, so ridiculous, and yet, I hear it all the time among people we see in this film. It's funny, not inhumane.

With an uproarious script, you need the right actors to deliver the lines. These guys do it with class and sass. Rogen and Heigl have great chemistry and flair together. Theirs is the story being told, but it wouldn't be possible with a list of supporting roles, especially the hindering marriage of Debbie (Mann) and Pete (Paul Rudd). With two youngsters to care for, this pair establishes a possible futuristic view of what's to become of Ben and Allison: unhappiness and inevitable hostility. Pete needs his space and Debbie needs anger management classes. It's a perfect tool for observation of the audience and the lead roles. Then there's Ben's unruly gang of porn-watching idiots. This clan breaks the tension with riotous comments and sensationally gut-wrenching antics, particularly the bet for Martin (Martin Starr) to grow out his hair while taking minute-by-minute jabs about it. These characters are witty and necessary.

With a brash, ballsy script and actors who know how to deliver a show, "Knocked Up" is the highlight of Judd Apatow's resume and the popcorn hit of the summer.

Grade: A-