Director: David Wain
Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Paul Rudd, Justin Theroux, Joe Lo Truglio, Kerri Kenney, Ken Marino
Running time: 98mins
Certificate: 15
Synopsis: When perennial urbanites George (Rudd) and Linda (Aniston) fall on hard times they are forced to leave their beloved NYC to stay with George’s obnoxious brother. En-route to the ‘burbs they stumble upon the Elysium Commune and encounter a cast of colourful characters and an idyllic way of life. Could Elysium be the new start George and Linda need or will the concepts of hippy-ism prove too much for their marriage to take?
First and foremost, does Phoebe know that Mike is cheating on her with Rachael? Okay cheap FRIENDS gag, but appropriately limp for Rudd and Aniston’s latest comedy outing, right? Actually not so, not so at all! WANDERLUST is a relentless and savvy comedy that packs in absurd and goofy cock jokes alongside witty satire of the lifestyles of city slickers, hippies and everyone in between.
WANDERLUST comes from ROLE MODELS scribes David Wain and Ken Marino, who also direct and star in the film respectively. It’s clear the pair have a great dynamic, and are able to write dialogue that is snappy and sarcastic without ever feeling forced. Wain’s direction is a masterclass in efficient storytelling. The city set-up is short and sweet, the stop off at George’s brother’s is hilarious and neatly gets the action back to Elysium. Initially George is forcing the couple’s flower child foray, but things soon change when he realises that the commune’s too good to be true leader; Seth (Justin Theroux) plans on free-loving the heck out Linda – and to make matters worse, she’s up for it! This forms the main bulk of the story,and although there is a sub-plot about the commune’s misplaced Deed, this really only serves to provide a resolute ending to the film and expose Seth as one dastardly dude.
What WANDERLUST does so well is allow it’s breezy premise to take a back seat to a character driven comedy. George and Linda’s circumstance is really just a device to get our protagonists amongst a cast of caricatures and there isn’t a weak link in the bunch. Justin Theroux pumps out philosophical clichés one after the other, his guitar solo is silly but you can’t help but laugh and his grasp of ‘modern’ technology is another testament to Wain and Marino’s comedic insight. If these fail to make you laugh no doubt his Messianic entrance will! Joe Lo Truglio is another stalwart of Wain’s films and pops up as Elysium’s resident nudist. Whilst you may think having an ever present naked guy is puerile gag fodder, his expert comic timing and delivery make all of his appearances a joy – we particularly enjoyed the functionality of his ‘dangle bag’. Co-writer Ken Marino is fabulous as a Docker-clad douche bag with the emotional growth of a 13-year-old. Jenifer Aniston is here in her usual capacity, you wouldn’t notice if you replaced her with any other actress. Ultimately this is Rudd’s film and THN has a great deal of admiration for his comedic stylings. He is consistently brilliant throughout and especially during the ‘free-love’ segment of the film. His dirty talk psych-up is moreish comedy.
WANDERLUST exemplifies the Wain/Marino knack for succinctly lampooning the stereotypes and idiosyncrasies of people and social behaviour – George and Linda’s argument in the car will no doubt be a familiar scene for any bickering couple, whilst their presentation of real estate agents, HBO execs, corporate cronies and hippies are spoofed to ridiculousness but still ring true. Wain wields the camera as an effective tool using quick cuts to add visual punch-lines and the man knows how to frame a penis for comic effect. The movie has a brilliant, warm tone – you can really tell the actors had a great time making this film (they all lived on set together in an experience Lo Truglio compares to summer camp). WANDERLUST is made by the on-screen presence of a great chemistry between all parties. There is nothing we haven’t seen from Aniston before (including her boobs – get over it boys we’re never gonna get a look and that’s a good thing). Rudd is comic gold and the supporting cast really pack out the film with laughs.
The naysayers out in movie land may prematurely write the movie off as another average rom-com, THN was very nearly guilty of this but were completely blown away by this riotous and ridiculous comedy that consistently had the audience howling with laughter.
WANDERLUST is in cinemas now.
