Friday, September 4, 2009

 

Extract

Extract From the creator of "Office Space" and popular TV shows like "King of the Hill" and "Beavis and Butt-Head," writer/director Mike Judge's new comedy "Extract" (USA 2009 | 91 min.) is a humorous and entertaining film on the expense of some people's misfortunate.

Joel (Jason Bateman) is a soft hearted guy who owns a small food extract (or any other product, because it is irrelevant) factory. He is frustrated with his wife Suzie's (Kristen Wiig) lack of interest in sex. A freaking accident in the factory puts Joel's business in jeopardy, and it also brings a beautiful criminal drifter Cindy (Mila Kunis) into Joel's neck of the woods. To deal with his frisky mind toward Cindy, Joel takes on the advice (among other things) from his bartender friend Dean (Ben Affleck) and hires a gigolo Brad (Dustin Milligan) to seduce his wife. But, Joel's misfortunate only seems getting worse.

Writer/director Mike Judge has the ability to cleverly imbed humor into witty dialogues. He creates a group of colorful characters, and most of them have distinct and genuine personalities. The terrific performance by the ensemble cast makes these character to alive. Ben Affleck wears beard and long curly hair, like Jesus (is that how Jesus looks like?), provides all sorts of wacky ideas through smooth talking. Dustin Milligan brilliant plays the dumb gigolo and makes one giggle whenever he opens his mouth.

Ben Affleck as Dean and Jason Bateman as Joel in EXTRACT Photo Credit: Miramax Film Corp/Sam Urdank

However, the comedy does not exceed the level of a television drama. One has to keep an eye closed on some details and avoid asking hard (or easy) questions about Joel's behaviors. Otherwise, the story might fall apart and the fun would be spoiled. One would miss the point of this film, because the film simply wants to have some light hearted fun, therefore, there is no need to get anything too serious.

"Extract" opens Friday, September 4, 2009 at Bay Area theaters.


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