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Hi all, just wanted to put in a plug for a movie I saw recently and loved. It's kind of a romantic comedy and a sports story. It stars Adam Carolla as a middle aged carpenter who is going out for the Olympics after not boxing for 20 years. It's a great movie, very funny and heartfelt, with a good atmosphere and some hilarious moments. It's not an Oscar hopeful or an instant classic, but it is a small independent movie that shows the love and care of the people involved.
It's rated R, for insane reasons mostly seeming to have to do with politics. But it's nothing like a rated R movie, and was rated that way for 2 F-bombs (Ocean's 11 had three I believe and was pg 13), and for the boxing in it, which is not very graphic, and one not-too-gross or graphic instance of Carolla throwing up during a match.
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I want to see this, because I'm a fan of Carolla. I was a tiny bit sad when he left Loveline. I'm not expecting much from the movie - I can't imagine Carolla's much of an actor - but I'm willing to give it a chance.
Posts: 4287 | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
scifibum, it basically defies all your preconceptions about what Adam's comedy in a movie would be like. He still does the vintage ranting and offhanded style, but he's very charming and interesting to watch, and after a while you do forget it's Adam and you get into the story. He's not playing a character though, it's very much the Adam that might have been before he got into entertainment, somebody who thinks he's smarter than everyone, has an answer for everything, but has nothing real to show for it. That makes the story very poignant and real.
It's also classic Adam because it's very relaxed- it never tries to be anything it isn't. You get a sense watching it that the he and the director and everyone involved were just solely interested in making a watchable and honest product. I will say for Carolla that he seems to be just about the most genuine person I know of in show business. He has been on many shows to talk about the movie over the last year, and most of the time he just says the movie is a "solid 8.5," that there are to many movies out there for the wrong reasons, with too much money and ego involved.
This is a really humble, down to earth comedy. The closest thing to it that would make sense as a comparison would be "Defending Your Life" with Albert Brookes. That is one of Carolla's favorite comedies, and the feel of the movie is similar- the material is dry and understated, but it develops a light and enjoyable feel that gets you interested in the story and keeps you laughing, without playing a bunch of tricks on the audience, or trying to go for any "classic" comedy moments, or anything imitatable. It just moves quickly through a story with lots of small pieces of comedy and irony. It's one of those movies that you'll see a second time, and more fully appreciate the tone and vibe.
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This isn't playing anywhere nearby. If it doesn't go to a wider release, I'll be waiting for it on video.
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