Normally, a film which features actor Paul Rudd, producer Judd Apatow and writer David Wain will work on at least some levels – if not all.
And because Rudd, Apatow and Wain are some of the most brilliant comedic minds in the business today, their most recent feature, “Wanderlust,” appeared destined to join the ranks of other great comedies like “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Role Models.”
Sometimes, however, the heavy-hitting names alone just aren’t enough. “Wanderlust” falls victim to this exception, as it is a lazy turn from Wain and Apatow and an example of how Rudd alone can carry a film.
The film centers around married New Yorkers George (Rudd) and Linda (Jennifer Aniston), who are both forced to seek a new lifestyle and living arrangement after they both lose their jobs. After a short stint with George’s brother (Ken Marino) doesn’t work out, they decide to take up camp at the Elysium Bed and Breakfast, a hippie commune that opens their eyes to what’s important in life.
Rudd is the obvious standout in this film. A constant fixture in both Wain and Apatow’s productions, Rudd’s presence and man-child personality make him a pleasure to watch, regardless of the feature. If Seth Rogen and Jason Segel were Apatow’s two golden boys, then Rudd is the easy choice for the diamond in the rough.
Though he’s gained more notoriety and popularity in recent years, Rudd still seems as though he’s undervalued as a comic talent, especially given the fact that he’s stolen the show more times in the past five years than any other comedic actor.
While the script for “Wanderlust” sadly lets Rudd down, his improvisational skills are put on display in some of the raunchiest and, incidentally, funniest scenes. His awkwardness and lack of comfort with anything and everything going on around him adds a sense of honesty and humorous sanity to an otherwise insane situation. His character, combined with Rudd’s overall “average guy” disposition, gives everything a sense of realism in a film that nearly lacks it entirely.
Along for the ride with Rudd is his not-so-better-half, Aniston. Her performance can be summed up with one word: frustrating.
It was rumored that Aniston’s role in “Wanderlust” would be one in which she steps outside of her established character niche. Hollywoodlife.com claimed Aniston’s character would smoke pot, do drugs and, yes, go topless.
But in reality, there wasn’t really much of any of that.
Last year’s “Horrible Bosses” was her step in the right direction. She displayed a different side to her acting ability without being fully revealing. “Wanderlust” could have been the perfect follow-up, possibly even a redefining moment in her career. However, Aniston takes a step backwards, instead.
Eyebrow-raising moments are few and far between, and she takes the safe route in an otherwise dirty role. It’s difficult to decide whether to applaud her for not adding her name to the ever-growing list of exposed actresses or curse her out for deceiving her adoring public into thinking she was actually going to take a step out of her one-dimensional shell.
Unfortunately, she doesn’t forge a new chapter in her career and doesn’t leave the rom-com persona in her past. Her character is nothing more than her usual, with maybe just a bit more bite.
“Wanderlust” will become a forgotten comedy, perhaps even by the end of this year. Its supporting cast shouldn’t have been an issue, since it’s filled with talented and comically-gifted people. Unfortunately, their case is let down by the script’s tendency to be one long running gag.
In the typical Wain film, the main characters are thrown into unfamiliar territory populated by overly jovial and odd people who somehow manage to bring out the best in one another. “Wet Hot American Summer” and “Role Models” are prime examples.
“Wanderlust” is no different in that aspect. Sadly, the characters are all one-dimensional and all play the same tune.
Instead of creating an array of zany, unique characters distinct from one another, Wain structures his “Wanderlust” characters to have one-track minds. Wain opts to show the good in his “hippie” characters, but only as a weak diversion to the film’s incessantly forced jokes at the expense of hippie stereotypes.
All of the age-old characteristics of hippie-like people are on display from start to finish. They smell, sit around playing guitar, take drugs, sing songs and protest – peacefully, of course. They live openly, lacking any rules or apparent morals. They’re vegans and partake in idiotic dances and stress relieving rituals all for the sake of self-betterment. They rub the tips of their fingers to their thumbs as a replacement for clapping because it is more peaceful.
The characters may be organic themselves, but the jokes are not. Any laughs which don’t stem directly from Rudd are artificially processed from overused stereotypes and assumptions. In the end, the characters seem neither genuine nor caring. They feel forced and nothing is really taken from the experience with them.
“Wanderlust” can only be seen as a disappointment from the likes of Wain and Apatow, who have produced laughs far better than this ho-hum piece. Likewise, the film features another forgettable turn from Aniston.
When all is said and done, “Wanderlust” is undone by its stale and lazy writing and its inability to become as vile a film as once promised. With scattered laughs and a story that’s been seen several times before, “Wanderlust” is really only good for Rudd fans, who won’t be let down by the actor’s fine performance.
Nick Coviello can be reached at [email protected].
