Who would have thought that a supporting character from 2008’s Forgetting Sarah Marshall would not only return, but jump from supporting to main character 2 years later.
Reprising the role that threw him into the mainstream, Russell Brand is back as the incorrigible front man of Infant Sorrow, Aldous Snow. Bringing with him, all the traits and nuances that made this character so classic in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, while also fleshing him out and telling a rather surprisingly good story to boot.
Get Him to the Greek follows record company lackey Adam Green as he tries his hardest to get Aldous Snow from London to the States in time for an anniversary concert at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles. After suffering through critical backlash and dismal sales on his last album, Aldous throws seven years of sobriety out the window and goes on the mother of all benders. In a brainstorming session with the record company suit, Green suggests the idea of an anniversary concert in order to drum up sales. The idea is accepted and Adam is sent on his mission to bring Aldous to L.A. by using whatever means necessary.
Traveling from London, to New York with a side trip to Las Vegas and then finally to L.A., we get to follow Aldous and Adam through the zany exploits that could only happen to a rock star.
Get Him to the Greek was written and directed by Nicholas Stoller, who also directed Forgetting Sarah Marshall. So there was no question on whether or not it was going to be funny. But he ended up delivering a hilarious, endearing and quite frankly, quote worthy film. And I tend to judge a film, based on how many time I quote from it. This one will rank right up there.
I’m a bit convinced that Russell Brand is actually Aldous Snow. I can see him having that same personality and he seems so comfortable in the role, I don’t think it’s a stretch for him to play it. Jonah Hill is back, albeit in a different role. He doesn’t reprise the obsessed borderline-stalk-y fan that he portrayed in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Tasked with controlling the uncontrollable, Adam goes from enamored to disgruntled and as he witnesses the fall of his idol, you actually start to feel for him.
There was no doubt that these actors were going to be able to pull off their respective parts, but what surprised me the most was A) how much I actually ended up enjoying the film and B) that the subject matter took on a bit of a heavier tone that what I had anticipated. The heavier tone didn’t detract from the film at all, and it’s wasn’t prevalent through the entire movie. If anything, it added to the film as a whole. My only real disappointment was the fact that there were scenes shown in the trailers that didn’t make it to the final cut of the film. I really hate it when they do that. But aside from that, I can’t complain. I’m actually hoping these make it on an unrated or directors Blu-Ray cut.
There were little throw backs to Forgetting Sarah Marshall although sadly no mention was made of the Dracula Musical or Peter Bretter. The film also stars Sean “P. Diddy” Combs as Sergio Roma, the suit that sends Adam on his quest. I have to say that Sergio was a highlight for me. I really didn’t expect P. Diddy to have the chops, but the boy can do comedy. Kudos to him! Colm Meaney stars as Jonathan Snow, Aldous’ estranged father. I look at him and see Chief O’Brien from Star Trek: The Next Generation, so it’s funny to see him in a bit of an obnoxious, offensive role, but the two play well off of each other.
I didn’t really see expanding the role of Aldous Snow to pay off, but in the end, Get Him to the Greek is completely worth the time and money to go see. If you like the R rated comedies of the Judd Apatow canon, this one will probably satisfy that craving. It’s full of sex, drugs and rock n’ roll, just like Aldous Snow.
Get Him to the Greek is now playing in the US and opens in the UK on June 25th.
