Big Trouble Review
by Karina Montgomery (karina AT cinerina DOT com)July 2nd, 2002
Big Trouble
Rental and snacks
Celebrities I have known: Check out famous actor Philip Nolen in the first few minutes and Michael McShane in the next few minutes of this broad ensemble comedy written from Dave Barry's 1sst novel of the same name. Go guys!
I was led to understand, after seeing this film, that some people did not like it as much as I did. I can totally understand this, because I am certain no one read Dave Barry's novel (yes, novel, not expanded column) on which this film is based. Had you read the very enjoyable book, you would have enjoyed the near-perfect casting and the sort of "greatest hits" reel that is this film. However, like David Lynch's Dune, without having the source material ready to hand, the film is a bit of a rushed, piecemeal mess.
Basically, a bunch of people with no ties to each other become witlessly and hopelessly intertwined in a rather serious adventure plot that also contains a vast amount of comedic elements. The film translated this into rapid-fire set pieces with a stellar cast who could, admittedly, wring the most possible laughs out of the least possible plot and character development, but who were not given enough to make it fly. My recommendation is to read the book and then, that same night, when you have put it down, rent the movie. It's like watching the trailer on the DVD after watching the movie.
I say stellar cast, although I am always dubious of Renee Russo in a comedy (but this is Barry Sonnenfeld of Get Shorty fame, he's no genius there). Had this role been played by Jeanne Tripplehorn (although she is too young) or Susan Sarandon I think it would have been smoother. Tim Allen - well, I hate Home Improvement almost on a religious level, but he was great in the Toy Story films and Galaxy Quest so it must be the material that works for him. Stanley Tucci, Janeane Garafalo, Dennis Farina, and Patrick Warburton round out the major players of the ensemble, with many more in the wings, including Jackass Johnny Knoxville.
The unfortunate thing about this movie is that the novel is so fast paced and jam packed with gags and great storyline crisscrosses, the moviemakers apparently felt they had to match the pace, but in the already frenetic medium of film, with the result that it feels rushed and more contrived than the already extremely high statistical incidence of coincidence in the novel. A couple of notes to future screenplay adapters of novels like this: every gag does not always translate into film, so keep the ones that do or the ones that propel the story only. McShane was used well as a recurring character (who does not exist) pumping energy into otherwise throwaway business. And yes, he does sweat that much.
It's fun, but the book is better. Go see it for Nolen and McShane!
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These reviews (c) 2002 Karina Montgomery. Please feel free to forward but just credit the reviewer in the text. Thanks.
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