‘Get Him to the Greek’ Review (****)
Writer-Director Nicholas Stoller wisely chooses a completely different kind of story for his second feature film, Get Him to the Greek. Rather than rehashing Forgetting Sarah Marshall’s breakup-heavy romanic comedy, Greek is a road trip movie featuring a satirical look at the music business, male bonding, and wild antics. While not as enjoyable as Stoller’s first film, Greek is the summer’s funniest adventure.
Produced by Judd Aptatow, Greek features Russell Brand reprising his Sarah Marshall character Aldous Snow. We learn that Snow is both off the wagon as well as in a career tailspin after his offensive “African Child” album. We’re also introduced Snow’s longtime love interest, Jackie Q played by Rose Bryne. There’s a fleeting mention of Sarah Marshall (and a cameo by Kristen Bell) but those who missed the first film won’t be confused. Brand takes the drug-adled and self-loathing rock star stereotype and revels in every excess possible. As in the first film, Brand does a good job being believable in both the comedic as well as the dramatic material. Importatly, he has to perform on several occasions and as with Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (another Judd Apatow production) the concert material is well done.
Jonah Hill is top-billed and anchors the film with the equal doses of reality and wonder. Hill plays Aaron Green, a young intern at Pinnacle Records. He’s a fan of Infant Sorrow and proposes the band reunite for a concert at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. He’s soon sent to London to pick up and babysit the notorious rocker, finding himself way, way over his head. Hill dials down the arrogance in this role, and provides a sympathetic character who is fun to watch. Proving adept at both physical humor, improvization, and delivering punch-lines, this is perhaps Hill’s most well-rounded performance.
Faring less well is Elizabeth Moss (Mad Men) who plays Hill’s live-in girlfriend Daphne. Their love story stretches credibility and apart from one very hilarious scene with Brand is pretty much a downer throughout. Moss doesn’t do a terrible job with her underwritten role but she doesn’t elevate the thin material either.
Apatow films are known for employing scene-stealers in supporting roles and Greek is no exception. Rather than tapping a member of Team Apatow, Stoller turns to Sean Combs to play the Pinnacle Records executive (in a role originally written for a Jewish character). Combs is absolutely fantastic and deserves every accolate he’s sure to collect. His interactions with Hill and singer/producer Pharrell are truly hilarious.
Jonah Hill and Sean Combs
Aside from the Aaron/Daphne storyline, there’s also some heavy material related to Aldous Snow’s father (Colm Meany). These storylines come together in the third act and are resolved in a pedestrian fashion (though Brand gamely tries to give the material dramatic heft). So, Get Him to the Greek doesn’t have a fabulous ending. But the trip is certainly enjoyable and will likely play well on repeat viewing.
The music in Get Him to the Greek is among the best “faux rock” material ever. Much of the credit goes to Dan Bern and Mike Viola, who wrote many of the songs for Walk Hard. Also contributing are Apatow, Jason Segel (who also has a producer credit), Carl Barat, Jarvis Cocker, and Lyle Workman. The song are truly memorable, including crowd pleasers “The Clap,” “Furry Walls,” and “Bangers, Beans and Mash.” There are a couple amusing Jackie Q songs as well, plus a notable number of cameos from a number of musical artists.
Get Him to the Greek is a great time for fans of outrageous on-screen behavior or fans of pop culture and musical satire. Jonah Hill and Russell Brand have all the elements for great comedy team and it’s loads of fun seeing them work together again. Their “bromance” storyline is probably the most interesting of all the relationships in the movie, so that’s where the focus is most wisely focused. There are a number of hilarious set-pieces that you’ll want to watch over and over again.
Jonah Hill, Sean Combs, Russell Brand
One thing I’m liking about Nick Stoller (might be something others will have a problem with) is how both FSM and GHTTG both go heavier on the drama in the third act than other mainstream comedies. While the energy might have stalled in the last 30 minutes, I think he brought out some truly great acting from Hill & Brand during those more dramatic scenes. It’s nice that Aldous Snow became more than a caricature. It’s those last few scenes that kind of makes me hope they add a third story into an Aldous Snow trilogy, just to see where his love life takes him. Jackie Q & Sarah Marshall didn’t work for him. There’s a huge open door there to wrap up.