Monday, April 26, 2010
A Case of the (Barry) Mundays
Then came the synopsis for the adaptation that would eventually be called Barry Munday, and I was skeptical. Another film that (quite literally) threatens his manhood? Didn't he learn to be more protective of his family jewels after Hard Candy?
But, of course, being the true Patrick Wilson fan that I am--
(After all, I DID fly across the country to spend one day in New York City, just so I could see him on Broadway in Barefoot in the Park...)
--I knew I'd see Barry Munday if given the chance.
So when I heard the film would be a featured selection at the Newport Beach Film Festival, there was no hesitation.
Barry Munday is your typical slacker. He spends his days at an insurance company, pretending to work and frequently hitting on the hot (and quite inappropriately dressed) receptionist, who doesn't hesitate before turning him down. Everything about Barry is ridiculous, from his wardrobe to his haircut to his trying-to-be-cool goatee. His attempts to hit on all manner of gorgeous women are often met with rejection, but Barry sees enough success that he is never thwarted. After all, his mother (Jean Smart), who loves her only child dearly, has instilled in him a ridiculous amount of self-esteem.
Life changes pretty quickly for Barry on one fateful afternoon. He goes into a movie theater, flirting with an attractive younger woman, only to be attacked by her trumpet-wielding father. Upon waking six hours later in a hospital, doctors inform him that they were unable to save his testicles. After taking a very short time to recuperate at home, he returns to work and where he receives a letter from an attorney explaining that a woman named Ginger Farley (Judy Greer) has filed a paternity suit.
Unable to recall ever having met the woman, Barry begs for the chance to meet with her. It doesn't take long for him to realize that Ginger's unborn child is his only shot at fatherhood and he immediately decides he wants to be involved.
Ginger Farley is a bitter, homely woman from the type of wealthy family where parents (Cybill Shepherd and Malcolm McDowell) wear matching track suits and her perfect sister (Chloe Sevigny) is heaped with awards and accolades. Ginger can't stand Barry, but slowly agrees to let him accompany her to doctor appointments, to dinner with her parents, to other family occasions. While Barry tries to prepare himself to become a father and to become better acquainted with Ginger, she is constantly critical, never bestowing a kind word. As time goes on, and she starts to see that Barry isn't going anywhere, she gradually loosens up and the two become friends.
Barry Munday is laugh-out-loud funny. The humor sometimes comes from the dialog, but is more often found in the awkwardness of each scene and the way the actors react to each other. After Barry is turned down by the receptionist, they both just stand there looking at each other. The conversation is clearly over, yet neither is quite sure what to do about it. Who hasn't been in THAT situation? "Well, TGIF!" Barry declares as he walks away, still flashing a cheesy grin that now slightly resembles a grimace.
First-time director Chris D'Arienzo managed to construct a film that is well-paced (despite being shot in just 23 days), and which looks like it was done with a budget much larger than its $3 million. Everything from costuming, to lighting, to the soundtrack (which included 80s greats like Whitesnake and Chicago), were planned to near perfection.
And then there were the performances.
Patrick Wilson has played a range of characters that includes a suspected pedophile, a young lawyer struggling between homosexual feelings and his strict Mormon upbringing, and a costumed superhero trying to find his place in a world that no longer needs him. But, with some 15 completed films and 3 more releasing this year, the man really needs to do more comedy. He has great timing and a fantastic sense of humor. Hopefully this will serve him well in this summer's The Switch, in which he co-stars with Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman. You can also look for him in June as he attempts to bring down The A-Team.
Judy Greer, normally a funny or obnoxious supporting character, also stands out as the unlikely leading lady. The rest of the cast, which includes Jean Smart, Malcolm McDowell, Cybill Shepherd, Emily Procter, Christopher McDonald (in a hilarious scene involving a support group for men with various anatomical problems), and Billy Dee Williams (a festival no-show).
We had a very nice chat with Chris D'Arienzo after the show. He said they are still looking for a distributor, but they are headed to the Edinburgh Film Festival soon and had a a favorable response at the South by Southwest Film Festival last weekend. I have no doubt Barry Munday will soon be heading to a theater near you.
But if you see a guy carrying a trumpet, don't stop and wonder why. Just run away.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Haha that sounds hilarious! While I confess I've never (knowingly) seen any of his work, I'm now definitely intrigued.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see it now. You convinced me and I love a good laugh in the theater! Thank you for this!
ReplyDeleteI JUST said to my co-worker, "I have a bad case of the Mondays." Too funny.
ReplyDeleteThis does look like a great movie, and I'd never heard of it before. Thanks for sharing!
I had never heard of this either! And it looks hilarious.
ReplyDeleteSounds hilarious. I'll check it out if he makes it's way to Idaho. Ha ha ha! :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like an intriguing movie...a character-driven film. I like those!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds REALLY good!
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of this movie but I have to say it sounds FUN! Thanks for helping me celebrate my SITS day!!
ReplyDeleteJen
I am intrigued. If it comes to little old Wooster, I promise I will go see it and give you my full review in return.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like my kind of movie. Keeping my eyeballs peeled . . .
ReplyDeleteThat's really cool that you live in a place where you can go to film festival!
ReplyDeleteWow! Sounds like a great movie. I can't wait to see it!
ReplyDeleteI love reading your reviews! I seriously wouldn't even bother seeing something if you didn't like it and vice versa. This sounds like it's definitely worth the time!
ReplyDeleteI am stoked to see this movie! I've actually seen trailers for it (maybe on your blog) and thought it looked funny. And yes, comedy would be a very good think for Pee Wee (That's my new nickname for him- just made it up) in the future. Remember that one time he totally brought us Champaign in NYC and we kinda wished we drank a little but we totally didn't? I do. That was crazy. SOOOO glad I got to share that with you!
ReplyDeleteO & Shopgirl- you might have seen PeeWee in Phanton of the Opera. He was Raoul in the movie that came out a few years ago! The boy can sing!