Review: Tropic Thunder

Ben Stiller's new comedy is at times a scathing satire on the Hollywood Movie Industry, at times a vulgar laced gross out comedy, and at other times a politically incorrect commentary, but it is always, if nothing else, ambitious.  In fact, Tropic Thunder is probably the most ambitious comedy to come out of Hollywood in a very long time.  I'm actually pretty amazed that the studio had the balls to release it un-cut considering it rips Hollywood to shreds while managing to offend African Americans, mentally and physically handicapped people, not to mention veterans and Asians. But Tropic Thunder pushes the audience's buttons for a reason - it wants us all to see how ridiculous movie stars, directors, producers, agents, studios, and even the people who pay to go see the movies really are.  Gays, mentally handicapped (or retards as the film so lovingly refers to them), and African Americans are all food for fodder because of how sensitive we always treat these issues and how Hollywood continuously exploits them, consciously or not.  Tropic Thunder doesn't always work, but when it does it's hilariously insightful.  At the midnight screening I went to there were some people getting upset by the films racier material... they clearly were missing the point.  Tropic Thunder is not your typical Hollywood comedy, it's a satire of everything we love and hate about the Industry.

What makes much of Tropic Thunder special is that nobody is trying to steal anyone else's thunder (forgive me).  The cast works especially well as an ensemble, which is hard to believe given the in your face talent involved here including Ben Stiller (the king of camera mugging), Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr. (who can steal a movie from almost anyone), Mathew McConaughey, Steve Coogan, Nick Nolte, and last but not least Tom Cruise.  Yes, you read that right... Tom Cruise.  And what is most surprising is that Tom Cruise ALMOST runs away with the whole movie.  He is genuinely funny and terrifying in his role as a Hollywood executive hidden away in his bunker making and breaking deals.  I've always been a fan of Tom Cruise and what makes this performance so memorable is how he (for the first time in a while) isn't taking himself seriously.  He completely lets go and inhabits this disgusting character and plays against his Hollywood image.  It's the best thing he has done in years and his screen time is just enough that it does not become overbearing.  If the movie had been bad I would have said it was worth it just to see him in this against type extended cameo... but the movie is pretty great.  

The performance everyone has been talking about is Robert Downey Jr. as Kirk Lazarus, an Aussie method actor who undergoes pigmentation surgery in order to play an African American.  You can believe the hype on this one folks. Downey is as funny as everyone has been saying and he does marvelous things with this controversial and juicy character.  What makes him avoid being a complete caricature is that Lazarus the actor is compelling and it's not that far of a stretch to see someone going to this kind of extreme for a role.  Method actors are praised for their ethic and this film satirizes the kind of love and adoration we bestow upon them.  If you really look deep down at what it is they are doing... it's pretty ridiculous and Downey exhibits this aspect of the character perfectly.  There are great moments when he himself reflects on the fact that he doesn't know why he is still in character.  He does it because he's always done it.  But what makes the performance even funnier is that this supposed great actor, Lazarus, clearly hasn't done any of his homework and instead relies on stereotypes to play an African American.  It's really funny stuff and Downey shines in the role.  He is having one hell of a year with this and Iron Man.  He still has the Soloist coming up toward years end.  I think Heath Ledger has met his biggest competition when it comes Oscar time...

Not everything in Tropic Thunder works despite the great comedic performances.  The humor here is all over the place and some of it just comes off as sophomoric.  Stiller's stint in the jungle by himself is hampered by the actors usual bag of tricks which are very been there done that.  Some of the supporting players over do it and chew through their dialogue rather than just deliver it.  Mathew McConaughey's character in theory is funny and even perhaps on the page, but on screen it just doesn't work as well as it should.  Though his casting is pretty inspired and right on the money.  And the films climax is chaotic and clunky.  But even in the moments when I wasn't really digging what was going on I still couldn't hold it against the film.  Tropic Thunder is wildly ambitious and because of that it is infectious on its audience.  You just cant help but be awed by how audacious it really is.  There were several times when I stared at the screen and thought to myself..."did they really just go there?"  Tropic Thunder "goes there" several times throughout its two hour run time and it is well worth a trip to see it.