I Feel Like I've Been Here Before
Drillbit Taylor / Daniel Carlson
Drillbit Taylor is the latest in the long line of movies produced by Judd Apatow in which the pathetic heroes suffer the slings and arrows of high school before causing trouble and fighting back against the external forces that are ruining their young lives. Apatow’s filmmaking prowess has made him a machine when it comes to stories like this one, where the freaks and geeks manage to do right and get the girl. But the film is also the least in touch with a sense of reality and the most willing to throw off the chains of real angst in favor of broader comedy, which puts it closer to Superbad (exploding cop cars) than, say, Knocked Up (the existential torment of adulthood). Although it’s produced by Apatow and features co-writing duties from Seth Rogen, it’s one of the few films from that crew where the hand of the director — in this case, Steven Brill — can be felt. Brill is an amiable guy who makes wacky comedies about losers doing well, and everything you need to know about his artistic sensibilities and worldview can be gleaned from the fact that his first feature was 1995’s Heavyweights, another Apatow script. Drillbit Taylor is dopey but sweet, a mixture of decent jokes and predictable plotting that’s completely devoid of surprises but still somehow mostly entertaining.
Wade (Nate Hartley) and Ryan (Troy Gentile) are two incoming high school freshmen in an indeterminate but resolutely white part of Los Angeles who are determined to take the 9th grade by storm, even though they’re two pretty solid losers: Wade is thin as a rail with glasses and a mop of feminine wavy hair, while Ryan is the overweight, sarcastic one who’s inexplicably attached to hip-hop. As if Wade’s painful eagerness to be liked weren’t bad enough, they wind up wearing the same shirt on the first day of school, which only makes them that much greater a target for Filkins (Alex Frost), the kind of balls-out psycho villain you’re really going to find in movies like this one. Filkins and his sidekick, Ronnie (Josh Peck), make it their mission to torment Wade and Ryan for being different, and despite Wade’s attempts to keep starting high school over — he keeps saying, “OK, this is the first day of our high school experience” for most of the boys’ first week — Filkins won’t be shaken off. Rogen and co-writer Kristofor Brown, who share story credit with John Hughes (!), actually find a way to sidestep parental involvement by making Filkins an emancipated minor. In the words of Emmit (David Dorfman), a fellow outcast even geekier than Wade and Ryan who’s gravitated to them out of sheer pack mentality, Filkins is “above the law.” The boys can’t even get help from the principal (Steven Root), and the repeated physical punishment leads them to pool their allowances and bar mitzvah money and do the only thing they can think of with their backs against the wall: They hire a bodyguard.
It’s a promising set-up, and Brill manages to bring a spark of life to the inevitable montage in which the boys interview potential heroes for hire. (The best in-joke of the movie is when a disgruntled Adam Baldwin, complete with Army jacket, tells them that a geek hiring a bodyguard is the worst idea he’s ever heard.) The three geeks eventually meet with Drillbit Taylor (Owen Wilson), a homeless man who spends his days panhandling in Santa Monica with his homeless pals and seems to have a relatively easygoing life for not having a job or place to live. Drillbit is vaguely moral but still opportunistic, so he gives the boys a speech about being a former Army Ranger and having lived through some terrible battles. “I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate,” he tells them with quiet fear, but even when Emmit correctly guesses that he’s quoting Blade Runner, the boys are too naïve to see through the con, so they hire him.
From there, the film struggles to walk the line between the predictable comedy it mostly is and the occasionally endearing geek-revenge film it wants badly to be, and it’s not hard to see the tonal shifting as a mirror of the unavoidable tension in a story that’s credited to both Hughes (as Edmond Dantes) and Rogen. Although Hughes’ formative teen comedies 20 years ago made movies like this one possible, for a long time he’s been doing nothing but the kind of cornball screenplays that are the antithesis to the more rough-edged morality of Apatow and Co. For instance, the boys trade insults with each other, and Ryan is adamant about ditching Emmit to keep life from getting worse than it already is, but Wade talks with Drillbit about friendship in a saccharine way that doesn’t quite fit with the characters or the world they’re inhabiting. Drillbit Taylor is a decent little comedy, but it would be a lot better if it had turned away from every moment that feels remotely requisite. For instance, after training the boys in some phony martial arts, Drillbit infiltrates the school and pretends to be a substitute. It’s a good idea, especially when he hits it off romantically with an English teacher named Lisa (Leslie Mann); you can practically see a world of comedic conflict unfolding involving juggled identities, etc. But then Drillbit tells his homeless buddies what he’s up to, saying that he gets away with it because all you have to do is carry a coffee cup and no one will question your authority. This of course leads to a few stupid and predictable moments where the other homeless men show up in the teachers’ lounge with coffee cups, and one of them somehow winds up substituting in a history class. It’s not terribly funny, and what’s more, it’s such an obvious sequence that Brill himself seems embarrassed by its inclusion, which is perhaps why the scenes flit by so haphazardly you wonder if they ever happened. But they did, and they shouldn’t have.
For what it’s worth, though, the cast includes an amazing number of comedians and friends who seem to have showed up just for the hell of it. Aside from the always-welcome Root, there’s a cameo from David Koechner, appearances by members of the Upright Citizens Brigade, Beth Littleford, Cedric Yarbrough, and a few others. And the metareferences don’t stop there: Ryan sports a “Beavis and Butt-head” shirt at one point, a nod to co-writer Brown’s work on that show, and the high school itself is McKinley High, which is either a conscious shout-out to the high school in the Apatow-produced “Freaks and Geeks” or a phenomenal coincidence. Even “Freaks” alum Steve Bannos wanders across the screen for a few minutes. It’s as if the movie really just exists to give everyone one more reason to hang out and get paid.
Drillbit Taylor isn’t without its charms, even if every plot point is easy to spot. You know there’s going to be a confrontation with Filkins at the end, and you know Drillbit will somehow help out in a way that manages to both validate his friendship with the boys and complete his transformative arc from rascally bum to caring father figure, even as he lets the boys do enough of their own fighting to reclaim their fragile and burgeoning masculinity. This is the kind of role Wilson can play in his sleep now, and Hartley and Gentile are likeable kids who do an admirable job carrying the central storyline. I guess the best way to sum it up is to say that it’s not a terrible movie. But for a film with such a gifted comedic pedigree, that’s far from praise.
Daniel Carlson is the managing editor of Pajiba and a low-level employee at a Hollywood industry magazine. You can visit his blog, Slowly Going Bald.
Meet the Browns | | Werewolf Bar Mitzvah |
Comments
So... you're saying I should go home and watch Superbad again?
Posted by: that bees chick at March 21, 2008 7:53 PM
Saw this at an advance screening on Wednesday, and thought it was flawed but very enjoyable overall. Glad to finally see a review that agrees with that; most of the others I've seen online have panned it without mercy.
Posted by: S.K. at March 21, 2008 8:10 PM
I won't see it in theatres, but it's something I've had an extremely reserved anticipation about.
Posted by: Kevin Longrie at March 21, 2008 8:11 PM
OK, before I even read the review, is it just me, or is there a really weird resemblance between one of the teenage boys in this movie and Joan Cusack??
Posted by: MO at March 21, 2008 8:36 PM
I will be more than glad to see this...if someone else buys the ticket. It takes better than 'meh' to get me to throw down my cash.
Posted by: the_Wakeful at March 21, 2008 8:47 PM
I assumed this kind of review. Apatow has his formula down and it's not even an original formula at that. Saying that, I still want to see it. I have a thing against seeing comedies in theaters(they lose nothing by seeing them on the smaller screen), so this is an obvious rental.
At this point, you could probably put together 3 random episodes of "Freaks and Geeks" and come out ahead versus a new Apatow movie. The pilot, "Tricks and Treats," and "Smooching and Mooching" episodes of F&G are a really tough combo to top for introduction of losers, hijinks, and the losers winning/getting the girl. Add in "The Garage Door" for the winning heart tugger moment.
Posted by: mb at March 21, 2008 8:57 PM
I don't know why, but the whole 'credited as Edmond Dantes' thing? Seriously? Hilarious. Just made my day.
Posted by: excusenothing at March 21, 2008 9:08 PM
I read the Boston Herald review for this movie, not because I had any interest in watching it, but because the headline was "'Drillbit Taylor' Made for Tools"
Posted by: Sarah J at March 21, 2008 9:12 PM
Someone explain to me how a man involved in the comedic abortions that are Heavyweights, The Cable Guy, Kicking & Screaming and Fun With Dick & Jane get's to be a respected comedy writer, producer and director.
Knocked Up and Superbad were ok. They weren't the comedy masterpieces everyone wants them to be, and how the hell anyone could find anything relating to "the existential torment of adulthood" in Knocked Up I'll never understand, but whatever. Surely these two films don't wipe away all the rubbish Apatow has made.
Arrested Development, 30 Rock, The Office...that's smart comedy. The Apatow gang is lowest common denominator comedy.
Posted by: KatieMC at March 22, 2008 12:27 AM
Uh-oh. I feel a Guiness-induced comment coming on (aka lengthy and possibly pointless yet unstoppable)...
At this point, you could probably put together 3 random episodes of "Freaks and Geeks" and come out ahead versus a new Apatow movie.
Agreed. I also dug Undeclared, which would typically make me laugh more in 25 minutes than most of more recent movies have. (Christ that sounds pretentious. I'm so sorry. But it really is the funniest show no one ever saw, I think.) And, DAMN- Jason Segel was a force on that show! His psychotic, soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend was only a recurring character (if that sort of thing matters), but he easily stole every scene he was in.
That said, as of today, I still have tremendous respect and affection for Apatow and his gang because:
A- Maybe not so much now (it's arguable either way), but definitely in his early work, Apatow has been one of the more femme-friendly, male comedy writers/directors/producers as of late. (Did that sentence make sense?)
B- I'm a sucker for good improvisation, and some of the regular cast members are just plain brilliant at it.
C- Regardless of ideology (also inexhaustably arguable), I think it's basically good-hearted comedy. The struggling cynic in me eats that up with a spoon.
D- They seem like genuinely nice folks who really enjoy working together and look out for each other professionally. Another factor that softens my withered, bitter heart.
E- Meh, I still get a good laugh out of some of their projects. And the ones that aren't gonna do it for me (sorry, like this one) are pretty easy to spot ahead of time.
So, sure...I probably won't see this. I still dig the folks behind it, and would frankly jump at the chance to act or write with any of them.
Especially Mr. Segel. Because I'm a sucker for lanky, funny men.
Posted by: ShinyKate at March 22, 2008 1:52 AM
"This is the kind of role Wilson can play in his sleep now"
There you fucking go. That's why this is so goddam sad. Hell, you might even say "This is the kind of film Apatow can put out in his sleep now"... Oh wait, you did - "It's as if the movie really just exists to give everyone one more reason to hang out and get paid."
Occasionally, it's hinted that producers/writers/studio big shots peruse sites such as these... Apatow, if this is the case, I hope you see this: TAKE A FUCKING BREAK ALREADY! Please... I've liked your films, I loved your television shows, I'd totally have intercourse with your wife, etc... But you're turning into the guy that does a line of coke at a party, gets a few laughs and six months later, you're blowing truckers in the Pump-n-Munch parking lot so you can get your next fix.
I will see this film. But fertheluvvagawd, take a break. Stay fresh, Juddy-Boy.
Posted by: Skittimus Fedupitus at March 22, 2008 9:55 AM
I don't know that I'd call "Heavyweights" a comedic abortion. When I was ten, I friggin loved that movie, and I was pretty sure Ben Stiller was a comedic genius. It's all about the target audience and it was better than most of the inane drivel that passed for children's entertainment. (I'm looking at you, "Mighty Ducks" franchise.)
Posted by: LB at March 22, 2008 11:14 AM
I checked out the link, and the pictures of Adam Baldwin and whoever the other guy is on the motorbike? Hi-fucking-larious. Now I kinda want to see it.
I really couldn't care less about Apatow, despite all the e-fellatio that goes on here in regards to him. I haven't seen any of his movies, though my coworker constantly quotes 'fuck my life', which he says is from Superbad. I imagine I'll watch his movies if I can borrow them from someone.
Posted by: Cuno at March 22, 2008 12:17 PM
I have a feeling that Apatow is becoming for me what Adam Sandler is for my older sister: he made Billy Madison, and that was her favorite movie in high school, so no matter how far down the shitter his work goes, she will always go see everything Sandler puts out and love it. Freaks and Geeks was the greatest thing that happened to me in junior high, and while I certainly hope Apatow never puts out something like I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, if he does, I'll go see it and defend it despite knowing so much better.
Posted by: Marra at March 22, 2008 2:12 PM
Oh look Owen Wilson playing a kooky opportunistic bum who skirts by on life and offers questionable advice and finds romance along the way.
You put this guy's movies and Adam Sandler's together and watch them all in one sitting and you'll either rectally combust or find the meaning of life.
Posted by: Andrew831 at March 22, 2008 5:09 PM
I'm with LB on Heavyweights. I haven't seen the movie since it first came out, but I have fond memories of it. This movie on the other hand... I didn't want to go to see it, and after your review...oh hell, I don't want to go see it. But I'm sure me and some friends will get intoxicated and go rent movies a few months from now and I'll be forced to watch it anyway. That's what happened with Superbad. Sorry people, I just didn't like it. It was slow and boring!
Posted by: Kay at March 22, 2008 9:48 PM
Checking IMDb, I have just realised that the only thing of Judd Apatow's and/or Seth Rogen's work/whatever you want to call it that I have seen is "Anchorman", and even then most people consider that almost entirely Will Ferrell and his frat pack.
Wow. Have I...have I missed some important part of life or something?
Posted by: Cookie at March 23, 2008 3:59 AM
"....dopey but sweet, a mixture of decent jokes and predictable plotting that's completely devoid of surprises but still somehow mostly entertaining...."
Reads like the sort of copy some Ford PR flack would use to describe a fuckin' Tempo.
Look I'm sick of Apatow and his crew, dickheads are wearing out faster than Stiller's clown troupe.
PASS
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at March 23, 2008 7:20 AM
I haven't gotten around to seeing it yet, but I might eventually, just based on the interview scene in the trailer. The one shot of the Japanese dude who tries to impress them by sticking his hand in a cup of coffee, then screams, "Oh damn!" makes me go into fits of hysterics every time I see it.
Posted by: Abe Froman at March 23, 2008 1:00 PM
Apatow is a hack. There I said it. I know the guys here get hard for the "being a nerdy guy sucks but I can still get a hot chick" comedy, but it's still crap. His movies are the dude version of chick flicks, and I hate chick flicks. Rogen is a enema.
Posted by: jenn at March 23, 2008 3:37 PM
Posted by: Abe Froman at March 23, 2008 1:00 PM
Sausage king of Chicago, I presume...?
:)
Posted by: BarbadoSlim at March 23, 2008 5:32 PM
'I left a message.'
'Oh yeah, what number did you call?'
'2-4-niner-5-6-7...'
'I can't hear you, you're trailing off. And did I catch a niner in there? Were you calling from a walkie-talkie?'
Posted by: redrighthand at March 23, 2008 7:09 PM
Wow, this is the first Apatow film that looked like it was going to totally suck based just on the promos. But you're saying it only half-sucks?
Also, poster above me? [b]DIE.[/b]
Posted by: monkey_b at March 24, 2008 1:38 AM
.. FUCK!! The edge was taken off my "die" by my STUPID html error.
....
I'm going to retreat into a corner now.
Posted by: monkey_b at March 24, 2008 1:39 AM
Sausage king of Chicago, I presume...?
Yes, we'd like to be seated, please.
One thing I didn't realize about that movie until years later when I was watching it on video was that the name of the restaurant, "Chez Quis," was an inside joke for Shakey's Pizza. Awesome.
Posted by: Abe Froman at March 24, 2008 3:27 AM
Okay seriously, does anybody else get the impression that the spambots are now being translated from, like, maybe Mandarin into English by someone who speaks only Portuguese?
Posted by: Sarina at March 24, 2008 5:37 AM
But the film is also the least in touch with a sense of reality and the most willing to throw off the chains of real angst in favor of broader comedy, which puts it closer to Superbad (exploding cop cars) than, say, Knocked Up (the existential torment of adulthood).
Also featured in Knocked Up? Getting pink eye because a roommate farted on your pillow. Oh the anguish!
Posted by: -tom at March 24, 2008 11:30 AM
Aw, monkey_b, I just wanna love you.
We can do proper HTML codes and hold each other deep into the night.
Posted by: redrighthand at March 25, 2008 12:13 AM
