Reviewed by Doug Cooper
Stars Michael Cera, Portia Doubleday, Steve Buscemi, Jean Smart, Ray Liotta, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Long, Fred Willard, Erik Knudsen, M Emmett Walsh, Mary Kay Place, Ari Graynor
Written by Gustin Nash
Certification UK 15 | US R
Runtime 90 minutes
Directed by Miguel Arteta
If you haven't tired yet of seeing Michael Cera playing a dorky dweeb then you'll be more tolerant of this mild and meandering comedy, a big disappointment from director Arteta, who gave us the the excellent Chuck and Buck and The Good Girl.
Cera plays articulate and sarcastic teen Nick Twisp, living with his sluttish mother Estelle (Smart). While holidaying with her and her dodgy boyfriend Jerry (Galifianakis) he meets the girl of his dreams Sheeni (Doubleday). His passion for her overcomes all obstacles and he will do anything to be with her - such as causing a major traffic accident so that his mum will throw him out so he can live with his father (Buscemi) who lives near the girl's parents. He also sneaks into her college dorm with pal Vijay (Kalyan) and spreads awful lies about her dependable but dull boyfriend. He even goes so far as dressing up in drag to sneak into her home and not give away his identity to her parents.
The escalating trouble he causes to all and sundry is helped by his smooth alter-ego, a moustachioed fantasy figure called Francois Dillinger (also played by Cera), a smooth talking cigarette smoker who forces the unconfident youth to perform his devilish acts and screw the consequences. Soon the teenager is up to his eyes in subterfuge and dodgy dealings. And you won't care one jot about his predicament. This weak effort tries for a jaunty, ironic tone but simply comes across as tedious. It's not funny enough and there never seems to be anything at stake. The cast acquit themselves well but there's nothing here for them to sink their teeth into. Cera needs to think about adopting a new persona - his performance here is hardly much different to what he's done before. Overall, It's watchable but uninteresting, the plot never grabbing you. Flimsy and forgettable, this ain't one to rush out to.