While my much more sophisticated friend Alex was in town last weekend we spontaneously caught an indie film at the Algeika Theatre, and while The Great Buck Howard probably isn't going to be winning any Oscars anytime soon, it was quite enjoyable. This movie tells the story of a young man (Colin Hanks) who goes through somewhat of a quarter-life-crisis, drops out of law school, and takes a job as a road manager/personal assistant for a washed up magician, excuse me, "mentalist" (John Malkovich).
Produced by Tom Hanks's company, Playtone, the thing that really makes this movie special is the restrained humor and the strong cast which happens to include a laundry list of some of my favs. Colin Hanks stars and has been on my "to-do" list since Orange County, though admittedly, his characters in each movie are very similar. The cast also includes Steve Zahn, Emily Blunt (who gets to have sexy time with C. Hanks...lucky biotch), and obvi a cameo by Daddy Hanks. Lesser known hottie Adam Scott plays a small but entertaining role and makes me want to see a lot more of him in the future ifyouknowwhati'msayin.
Another interesting aspect of this movie is the overall sense of time and location. In the same style as movies like Napoleon Dynamite, this movie takes place in present day America but feels like fifteen years in the past based on the fashion, decor, and depiction of American society. Whether intentional or not, this element is confusing yet enjoyable.
Though admittedly not cinematically groundbreaking, The Great Buck Howard is certainly an enjoyable movie that made me smile and chuckle, and it would behoove us all to make the extra effort to go to the indie theatres to check out.
3.26.2009
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