The Golden Boys

Author(s): Al
Location: New York

"The Golden Boys"

Directed by: Ivan Reitman
Written by: Judd Apatow
Original Songs by: Marc Shaiman

Principal Cast:

Mike Fennel: Steve Carell
Bob Langston: Billy Bob Thornton
Rick Perry: John C. Reilly
Ed Fennel: Matthew Perry
Wallace Plotkin: James Caan
Marcus "JoJo Cray-Z" Orwin: D.L. Hughley
June Fennel: Elisabeth Shue
Lizzie: Parker Posey
Jack Manter: Hugh Jackman
Edna Langston: Jane Krakowski
Frank: Ethan Suplee

Tagline: “N/A"

Synopsis: Mike Fennel has some real problems. His wife June is constantly nagging him, his kids hate his guts, he's stuck in a soul-crushing job as a CPA, and on top of all this he's got a mean midlife crisis creeping up on him. Desperate, he turns to his lone triumph: "The Golden Boys", a cheesy college band that enjoyed success for a few months before crashing, burning, and disbanding. He decides to contact the old members: His snarky brother Ed, (a sports agent who wants nothing to do with Mike), the rebellious ladies man Bob (now living in a trailer with his ditzy wife Edna), and the quiet, soulful, talented fourth member Tom. After discovering that Tom died in a car accident a few months after the group broke up, Mike enlists their onetime roadie Rick, currently stockpiling firearms for use against the Communist militia with his equally clueless brother Frank. Emboldened, Mike contacts their old manager Wallace, now retired in Palm Beach, who politely declines his offer. A young, slimy Hollywood agent, Jack Manter, picks up the band and gets them a spot performing with the flamboyant hip-hop artist JoJo Cray-Z, shooting them to cult stardom among mocking young men. However, Bob acts increasingly hostile towards the other members of the group, and Rick, of all people, starts to drift towards a solo career. And Mike begins to suspect that there's something going on between Jack and his wife. Will these middle-aged men hold on for more than 15 minutes of fame, or will Mike's dreams come crashing down?

What the press would say:

Oh wow. "The Golden Boys" may just be the funniest film of all time. This movie has got it all: hilarious and witty, dialogue, fleshed-out characters, and a poignant flair to a movie that could have been goofy and overdone. Ivan Reitman, a veteran comedy director, deserves serious praise for this movie, as does Judd Apatow for his clever and witty screenplay.

But let's get to the stars. First off are the four members of the band. Matthew Perry is very funny as the resentful brother of Steve Carell's character, while Billy Bob Thornton also deserves praise for his drunken, hardened character that proves both his dramatic and comedic chops. John C. Reilly, I must say, is flat-out brilliant. As the dim-witted burnout who is drafted into the band, he puts on a funny but also emotionally resonant performance. He eventually begins to believe in his vocal chops and begins a solo career, with unexpected success. This role should finally get him the mainstream (and possibly awards) recognition he deserves. The real standout is the lead actor, Steve Carell. In "The 40-Year-Old Virgin", he established his reputation as one of Hollywood's best comedians, and in "Little Miss Sunshine" he solidified his dramatic capacity. Now it seems that everything he's learned about acting has been parlayed into his portrayal of a sad, pathetic middle-aged man who just wants an accomplishment. Even in his most slapstick moments, we can sense his inner thoughts, his introverted distress and dejection. This role will surely lead him to even greater fame.

Of course, there is a great supporting cast that must not be forgotten. James Caan, so often the straight man, does one of his best jobs yet, as does Hugh Jackman as a yuppie music manager with a devil-may-care grin and a snappy wardrobe. His scenes with Elisabeth Shue, as Mike's needy wife, are hilarious but meaningful as Shue's character uses Jackman's character as a receptacle for her bottled-up emotions and desires. D.L Hughley, with a robust comedic career, is spot-on in his portrayal of the eccentric and sometimes delusional hip-hop star "JoJo Cray-Z." What a great comedic performance. Also noteworthy are Parker Posey as the backstabbing indie music producer who seduces Mike in one hilarious scene, and Jane Krakowski as the dim but caring wife of Billy Bob Thornton's character.

All in all, this is an amazing film comedy with a wonderful cast, and though the Academy hates to honor comedies, don't be surprised to see this little movie that could pick up a few gold statuettes next February. It certainly deserves every one of them.

Best Picture (AMPAS)
Best Picture-Musical/Comedy (HFPA)
Best Ensemble (SAG)
Best Director: Ivan Reitman
Best Original Screenplay: Judd Apatow
Best Actor: Steve Carell
Best Actor: Billy Bob Thornton
Best Supporting Actor: John C. Reilly
Best Supporting Actor: D.L. Hughley
Best Supporting Actress: Elisabeth Shue
Best Supporting Actress: Parker Posey