Two stars. Rated R, for nudity, crude sexual content, drug use and relentless profanity
By Derrick Bang • Originally published in The Davis Enterprise, 7.8.16
Strip the profanity away, and the
rest of this script could be printed on a postage stamp.
Indeed, it’s rather audacious of
Andrew Jay Cohen and Brendan O’Brien to claim credit for writing this flimsy
excuse for a screenplay; most of what landed on the screen seems to be
improvised. On the spot. While everybody in question was under the influence of
intelligence-altering substances.
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| After realizing that their "respectable" dates are anything but, Dave (Zac Efron, far right) and Mike (Adam Devine) agree to a truce with Tatiana (Aubrey Plaza, far left) and Alice (Anna Kendrick). Whether this quartet can repair two days' worth of damage, however, is an entirely different matter... |
The oh-so-hilarious (not!) “outtakes”
included, during the end credits, certainly suggest as much.
Sadly — for those of us forced to
endure the results — these folks are far, far removed from the likes of
lightning-quick improv talents. Sputtering and flailing through a relentless
stream of F-bombs and vulgar euphemisms is hardly the height of comedy; it
simply smacks of clueless desperation. It’s actually rather painful,
particularly when we know full well that these actors are capable of much
better.
In fairness, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates is occasionally funny, in spite of
itself. And it’s rescued from total turkeydom by the effervescent work of Anna
Kendrick, who repeatedly rises above the thin material. She puts some actual ability
and effort into her performance, in stark contrast to all the others, who
mostly swan about and pose for the camera, like 10-year-old show-offs.
Honestly, it’s surprising they
don’t all scream “Look at me! Look at me!”
The story, such as it is:
Hard-partying brothers Mike and
Dave Stangle (Adam Devine and Zac Efron) have ruined too many previous family
gatherings, mostly because they always come stag, get drunk and try to pick up
available women. Thus, when younger sister Jeanie (Sugar Lyn Beard) announces
her impending dream wedding in Hawaii, their parents (Stephen Root and
Stephanie Faracy) lay down fresh ground rules: Mike and Dave can attend only if
they bring dates. Respectable dates.
The theory being, well-behaved
companions will keep the boys in line.
Not having the faintest idea how
to find such women, Mike and Dave resort to the go-to 21st solution: They
advertise on Craigslist. (This much actually happened, in real life, in
February 2013; check YouTube to see the actual Stangle brothers being
interviewed.)
