A Bit of Support for the Supporters

There are few things in this world I love more than character actors. (Seriously. It's a sad, sad existence). And we couldn't have character actors without the genre specific archetypal roles they play. You may be thinking I sounded really smart just then... and you're right, I did.

So, in honor of having just sat through the horrendous When In Rome (don't judge me), and the fact that Valentine's Day has just passed, I thought I would take a moment to discuss the Romantic Comedy character, "The Best Friend." In doing so I hope to shine a bit of light on some of the most unforgettable forgettable actresses who are known for playing the part. These are the women that for whatever reason seem destined to dwell in the gradual spill-off of the spotlight; talented ladies that make a career out of batting second. They are always there for you with helpful advice, even when you don't ask for it, and well...that's about all they are good for. Sometimes they get their own B plot love story, but it usually only manifests itself in a few flirty looks - there's just not really enough time for much more, and frankly we don't really care enough to see more. Take a look at any Rom Com and you'll find these ladies lurking in the background, dropping one liners, making awkward situations worse, tripping over things, crying comically, and generally just making the movie's star shine all the brighter. It's a tough job, but someone's gotta do it.

5. Kate Micucci: The Awkward Co-worker

It's hard to say why I can't imagine Miss Micucci in roles very different from the one she played in When in Rome. Maybe it's because she talks like a bored female version of Mos Def with two peanuts up his nose. Maybe it's because she looks like a frightened Stuart Little who's just dropped acid. We just don't know. Either way, she perfectly portrayed the typical awkward work friend, offering incredibly unfunny one liners and the kind of advice needed to bring the two main characters' romance to fruition. Let us not forget her memorable turn as "the Registrar" in an episode of How I Met Your Mother, the part of "Bubble" in the TV movie Husband for Hire, and a role in a TV show called Campus Ladies in which she played the pivotal role of "Less Attractive Girl."

4. Lisa Ann Walter: The Lovable Housekeeper

Oh man, remember her? Well, I don't care, because I do. She's probably best known to us girls of the 90's as Chessy from The Parent Trap. She played the hired help of one twin's family who fell immediately in love with the butler of the other twin's family. She said things like, "Don't look at me. I don't know a thing," a line that may be almost as overused in cinema as things like, "We've got company!" "Let's get outta here!" and "I don't know what you want from me!" (Which, to be sure, means they know exactly what is wanted from them.) Some of her other roles include a stint in the Ashton Kutcher/Katherine Heigl film Killers, and bits in Shall We Dance, and Bruce Almighty. She's also credited in a short film called Farm Sluts which intrigues me, but I'm going to assume she plays the housemaid that doesn't quite get in on the action.

3. Kathryn Hahn: The Lovesick

According to Imdb and Wikipedia she is best known for her role in Crossing Jordan, but that sounds lame, so lets talk about How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days! Let's. As Kate Hudson's buddy, Michelle, in HTLAGTD (see what I did there? It's much better, I promise,) Hahn embodies everything that is so awesomely bad about the character of "the friend." It is her desperate attempts at finding love, and massive failures that inspire Hudson's character to write an article on women's worst dating faux pas, thus creating the catalyst for the real love story. Her Michelle is so freaking typical, redundant, and annoying I can only imagine it must have been written by some alien creature whose only knowledge of the human race was compiled from watching reruns of Lifetime™ original movies. Hahn embodied this role so well, she reprized it again in The Holiday, Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!, A Lot Like Love, and How Do You Know, most of which are films I've not actually seen, but I'd be willing to put money on the content of her character in them.

2. Heather Burns: The Sweetheart

Now we are in the big leagues, my friends. The lovely Burns has so embraced her own fate of type casting, almost her entire career consists of romantic comedies. Although her credits include such successes as You've Got Mail, Miss Congeniality, Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous, and Two Weeks Notice, most of us wouldn't recognize her on the street and have probably already forgotten her first name. But where would these films be without her? I ask. Well, they probably would have done just fine, but there's something about that vacant hopeful smile of hers, and sweet whispery voice that makes me feel like it's a shame she's doomed to forever wander the realm of the best friend.

1. Judy Greer: The Funny Friend

The hilarious Judy Greer was fortunate enough to actually showcase some of her talent as Kitty on Arrested Development. Unfortunately when it came to the big screen, this wasn't enough to land her a significant leading role. I can only assume that this is because she doesn't really have the kind of face Cover Girl is climbing over itself to hire and plaster all over the front of Cosmo. It's a sad fact, but that's the movie industry. Nonetheless, I think she's hilarious and every shitty movie she's in is made just that much better by her presence. See references: The Wedding Planner, 13 Going on 30, 27 Dresses, Love Happens, and Love and Other Drugs.

The Worst of Natalie Portman

Trust me, this hurts me as much as it hurts you. I can't remember a time when I didn't idolize Dame Natalie the Duchess du Portman. But now that everyone else has officially jumped on the bandwagon, I thought I would take the time to remind us all that the girl is human.

Goya's Ghosts (2006)
Genre. Really Sad
Dir. A guy that did some other good stuff
Starring. Anton Chiguhr, The Portster, One of the Saarsgaards

It's been a long time since that fateful day when I brought Goya's Ghosts home from Blockbuster (yes, we were still going to BLOCKBUSTER. That long ago.) So I'm afraid I can't offer a very thorough critique. But I'll try. Now, this was a time before the gentle guidance of Netflix's ratings and recommendations system, when we were forced to spend hours wandering aimlessly through aisles of thousands of DVDs, with naught but the cover design and the quotes of critical acclaim that often graced them to guide us in our choice. Goya's Ghosts obviously caught my eye because of the talented cast and because it boasted the same director as Amadeus and The English Patient. Unfortunately this promising combination proved unworthy of my $2.99 rental fee plus the cost of gas to and from Blockbuster. A fellow critic who writes for imdb.com message boards and goes by the name of Epicureum called the film "just another anglo-saxon libel full of furibund anti-Spanish racism and historical lies about Spain."

Well I don't know about that, Epicureum, but I do know that the film sucked. What I now recall, and what I evidently attempted to block from my memory, is the part in the film in which Natalie looks like this (image NSFW):

Jesus. No wonder I hated it.

Natalie Raps (2006)
Genre. Digital Short
Dir. Who knows.
Starring. Natalie, Andy Samberg

Ahh let us analyze the masterpiece that is Natalie Raps. A short film is an elusive and delicate art; one that requires a profound focus in order to manifest its individualized reflexivity and stand alone as a fulfillful work. No short demonstrates this accumulation better than Natalie Raps. It's a bold and intrepid work that is inundated with post-modern realisticism in which Natalie fearlessly declares herself as the true artiste and auteur that she truly is. Truthfully.

Star Wars Episodes I-III
Genre. CGI
Dir. Come on, you know this.
Starring. CGI

At least it's the good Star Warses.


No Strings Attached (2011)
Genre. comedy
Dir. Ivan Reitman
Starring. Ashton Kutcher, Cary Elwes

I know I shouldn't be condemning films based on their trailers alone, but if we didn't all spend our time passing judgment on things before actually knowing them, we'd be bored to tears. I do have to say despite the constant onslaught of shit that is this trailer, I might have laughed out loud a little when Nats goes, "You look like a pumpkin, bitch." I shall assume that that is the only mildly amusing moment in the whole film.

Here's What's Coming

2010 may have started out a bit slow (as far as I'm concerned, theaters didn't even open until mid June), but ended up producing a handful of exciting films. What do we have to look forward to this year? I speculate.

5. Bridesmaids
Genre. Comedy
Dir. Paul Feig
Starring. Kristen Wiig, Jon Hamm, Rose Byrne
Release. May 13th(US), June 24th (UK)

We all know that the wedding comedy genre has produced some of the greatest films of all time. The Wedding Planner, My Best Friends Wedding, Runaway Bride, and who could forget that instant classic Bride Wars just to name a few. OK so the genre doesn't have the best reputation; I didn't say I was expecting Citizen Kane here.

To set this film back even further, the plot sounds exactly like that annoying episode of Friends where Rachel and Phoebe fight for the position of Monica's maid of honor. Erg.

But putting all of that animosity aside, I still have hope. Kristen Wiig finally gets a leading lady role, and I'm curious to see if she can shine in the spotlight and not slip into her usual supportive character based role. Her name on the writing credits along with the Freaks and Geeks team up of Apatow (producing) and Feig (directing) makes this a promising prospect. Finally a chick flick worth seeing? Or just another fixture for Sunday afternoons on the Oxygen Network? I'm looking forward to finding out.

4. Rango
Genre. Animation
Dir. Gore Verbinski
Starring. Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Bill Nighy
Release. March 4th (US and UK)

I honestly hadn't given Rango a second thought until I saw the trailer. It was one of those rare times when I got that stirring in my gut which slowly blossomed into excitement and finally manifested as a thought: "Could it be? Something...good?" Johnny Depp's name used to be enough to induce this feeling, but lets face it, he's not carrying the same stigma as of late. It's unfortunate, but happens to the best of us.

Anyway, I think this could be more than a sort of Western version of the Ice Age franchise. The character design is truly striking and like nothing I've seen before (it's ILM's first animated feature). I was even more intrigued when I saw a featurette showing how closely the animation was based on actual performances by the actors and without the use of motion capture. Nickelodeon hasn't put out a good film since Good Burger (or before it). Do I smell...redemption?

3. The Way Back
Genre. Drama
Dir. Peter Weir
Starring. Jim Sturgess, Colin Farrell, Ed Harris
Release. Jan 21st (US), Dec 26th 2010 (UK)

Russia, prison break, epic landscapes, Colin Farrell, and lots and lots of walking. This could be a giant miss. There are few things worse in this world than a film that tries too hard to be epic, but somehow fails on all fronts (remember the travesty that was Troy? Oh, and Tron, now that I think of it). But this film has something they didn't: Mr. Weir. I believe in you Peter.

2. The Tree of Life
Genre. Drama
Dir. Terrence Malick
Starring. Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Jessica Chastain
Release. May 27th (US), Unannounced (UK)

After watching the trailer a few times, reading several synopses, and consulting with a magic eight ball, I still have no idea what this film is about. Maybe it's something about how a man reflects on his opposing relationships with his mother and father in order to better define himself. Or maybe it's about an astronaut that falls into the ocean, has a baby, plants a tree, has his house flooded, goes rock climbing, goes to church, goes to the beach with a bunch of people in suits, and then visits Niagara Falls. We just don't know. But whatever it is, I'm up for it.



1. Hanna
Genre. Thriller
Dir. Joe Wright
Starring. Saoirse Ronan, Cate Blanchett, Eric Bana
Release. April 8th (US & UK)

Ok, who did the titles for this trailer? Seriously who did them? How dare you ruin this for me.

Top 5 films you didn't see in 2010

Maybe you were too busy trying to figure out Inception, maybe you couldn't bear to take a break from your Dexter DVD box set, or maybe these just weren't playing at a theater near you. Regardless, you should have seen these films.


5. Waste Land
Genre. Documentary
Dir. Lucy Walker, Karen Harley, Joao Jardim
Starring. Vik Muniz

If you enjoyed Exit Through the Gift Shop but were left with a less than positive outlook on modern art, Waste Land might be just the thing you need to feel the love again. Uplifting and inspiring, Waste Land follows artist Vik Muniz as he embarks on a quest to bring beauty into the lives of a group of people with the most unfortunate job imaginable. They pick trash for a living, spending most of their time trudging through the world's largest landfill, picking out the recyclable materials from the rest of the general waste. These are the materials that Muniz then uses to create their portraits which eventually sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

At times it feels a bit contrived, but in the end, Waste Land will make you believe in the power of art to transform the ordinary into the beautiful. It is also successful as an environmental film as it causes us to contemplate the overwhelming amount of trash we produce, without being overly preachy or accusatory. It does not seek to make us feel guilty, but rather it sends a general positive message about the possibility of change. And most of all it's an absolute joy to watch.

4. The Illusionist
Genre. Animation
Dir. Sylvain Chomet

Sometimes we need films to take us out of our ordinary lives and into another world. This is exactly what Sylvain Chomet's The Illusionist does and the world is somehow both beautifully mesmerizing and deeply somber. Adapted from a script by Jaques Tati, The Illusionist tells the tale of an aging magician, struggling to find work in a time where the trends of show business were changing. He meets a young girl who believes whole heartedly in his magic and changes his life. She acts as both his savior and that which destroys him as he stops at nothing to keep his illusions real for her. The result is a melancholic but very touching film.

3. Biutiful
Genre. Drama
Dir. Alejandro Gonzalez Iñarritu
Starring. Javier Bardem

Biutiful is not for the faint of heart. It is a challenging film, but if you're a fan of Innaritu you'll expect nothing less. The story interweaves the lives of several people living in the underbelly of society, doing whatever it takes to survive. Bardem is a tortured father with the unique gift of being able to connect with the after life. This is not so much a gift as a curse, and becomes even more so when he learns his own life is limited. Bardem (as per usual) is fascinating to watch. There aren't really any moments of relief from the tragic lives of these characters, which makes for a difficult viewing experience, but if everything in life were easy...well maybe it wouldn't be quite so Biutiful.

2. Another Year
Genre. Comedy/Drama
Dir. Mike Leigh
Starring. Jim Broadbent, Ruth Sheen, Lesley Manville

Another Year is a heartfelt character study of a loving married couple entering their golden years, highlighting the changes their family and friends experience over the course of a year. Mike Leigh once again offers an insightful look at the intricate dynamics of family relationships and companionship. See this film if for no other reason than for Lesley Manville's exceptional performance as an unmarried and lonely woman desperately trying to hold onto the pretense of happiness. It's a charming and funny film that will make you grateful for whatever friends and family you may be lucky enough to have.

See my full review here.

1. Somewhere
Genre. Drama
Dir. Sofia Coppola
Starring. Stephen Dorff, Elle Fanning

With Somewhere, Sofia Coppola solidifies her position as one of the most uniquely feminine voices in cinema today. They say you should write what you know, so it comes as no surprise that Coppola has written a story about a famous father and his relationship with his young daughter. The entire cast delivers great performances as they bring to life a brilliantly simple script. Although admittedly slow at times, Somewhere is overall poetic and endearing in all of its subtly beautiful moments. It is easily one of my favorite films of this past year.

For a full review, go here.