“A CONTAGIOUS COMEDY”
Starring: Jonah Hill, Russell Brand, Sean Combs, Rose Byrne, Colm Meaney and Elisabeth Moss
Directed by: Nicholas Stoller
MPAA Rating: R for strong sexual content and drug use throughout, and pervasive language.
Genre: Comedy
Run Time: 1 hr. 49 min.
Release date: June 4, 2010
Studio: Universal
By John Delia
Producer Judd Apatow comes up with another winner with Get Him to the Greek. The movie is so funny I nearly pulled a stomach muscle. Directed toward a male audience with a smaller entertainment factor for females, this film makes all the right moves. It’s funny, gross, unexpected and contagious. I suggest you gather up your buddies or convince your significant other to join you and let the laughter begin.
The film centers on Aaron Green (Hill) an intern at a high profile record company. He goes unnoticed for the ambition the man has to succeed in the business. One day during a brainstorming session on how to up the revenue of the record company, Aaron makes a suggestion that could actually help. Hold a comeback concert featuring rock star legend Aldous Snow (Brand) whose career has taking a dive into the toilet. He lays out the plan and to his dismay Sergio (Combs), the record company’s top executive, accepts the suggestion. Since it was his idea Aaron gets the assignment to bring the rocker from England to LA for the concert. Not knowing that Aldous has ulterior motives for his acceptance, Aaron finds the going not quite what he expected.
The film is a blast from beginning to end. I don’t know when I have enjoyed a better script. Much like Apatow’s 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked UP, I became engrossed in the film because of its characters and the unexpected.  The comedic timing of the characters under the Direction by Nicholas Stoller is brilliant. Stoller puts his actors in a situation and lets them do their thing with excellent results.
Jonah Hill has come a long way from Superbad although most of his characters along the way have been quite similar. But that is what was needed for this kind of a show. Making decisions without knowing why, yet most always coming out on top, his characters are charming, lovable and comical. Being paired up with Russell Brand doesn’t hurt either. The two have the chemistry to make the film work and they bring it off with rousing success.
Now I saved the best for last. Sean Combs puts the hurt on comedy. His performance is way over the top and surprisingly convincing. His comedic timing and strong personality made his character fun to watch. I want to tip my hat to director Stoller for getting such a fine performance from the actor/song writer/singer.
The movie is rated R for strong sexual content and drug use throughout, and pervasive language. Get Him to the Greek should only be seen by responsible adults.
FINAL ANALYSIS: This one’s for the gusto guys. (5 of 5 Palm Trees)