Plot
Two guys get a billion dollars to make a movie, only to watch their dream run off course. In order to make the money back, they then attempt to revitalize a failing shopping mall.
Release Year: 2012
Rating: 5.7/10 (1,808 voted)
Critic's Score: 43/100
Director:
Tim Heidecker
Stars: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, Robert Loggia
Storyline Two guys get a billion dollars to make a movie, only to watch their dream run off course. In order to make the money back, they then attempt to revitalize a failing shopping mall.
Writers: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim
Cast: Bill A. Jones
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Serious Announcer
Jeff Goldblum
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Chef Goldblum
Bob Odenkirk
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Schlaaang Announcer
Frank Slaten
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Super Seat Customer
Bob Ross
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Himself
Ronnie Rodriguez
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Diamond Jim
/
Johnny Depp
Nancy Stelle
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Woman on Paris Street
Jean-Michel Richaud
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Paris Policeman
Marilyn Porayko
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Woman Being Ticketed
Erica Durance
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Paris Waitress
Tim Heidecker
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Himself
Eric Wareheim
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Himself
Robert Loggia
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Tommy Schlaaang
William Atherton
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Earle Swinter
Michael Gross
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Narrator
Trivia:
The film has no relation with Tim and Eric's "Awesome Show, Great Job!" nor "Nite Live" series.
User Review
A Slap In The Face
Rating: 4/10
Tim and Eric ended their Awesome Show after 5 seasons two years ago .I
have swore by Tim and Eric since their viral days- before they even
graced television with the classic Tom Goes To The Mayor. I have spread
the good news of their comedy to friends and family alike. I have
tirelessly defended them when those who didn't understand or appreciate
their humor bad-mouthed them- calling their show juvenile or "ran-dumb"
(which believe me- it was not). I drove hours on end to see their
Awesome Tour. I supported them endlessly- buying dvds, posters, shirts-
all they had to offer. I loved them.
Then... they made.... this....
I built this film up to such impossible heights in anticipation that it
is unlikely my self created standard could have ever been met- but
their film didn't even graze middle-ground. I have always "gotten"
their humor. I "got" it before they did it- in the days of Andy
Kaufman's anti-comedy explorations- but to me there was really nothing
to "get" in their feature film debut. They played around with
mainstream comedy conventions of the 2000's- Bromance, male debauchery,
shock humor, and gross-out gags- but their delivery was so lackluster
that the result came close to being of the level of the filth they were
poking fun at. Discussing the plot really isn't necessary as the plot
provides nothing for the film. The side characters, with the exclusion
of John C. Reilley's Taquito, added nothing worthwhile to the effort.
Will Forte became a an endless red-faced malicious scream; Will Ferrel
spewed his usual "average guy that starts yelling about minor mishap"
shtick that he's done since SNL (shudder), and Zach Galifinakis
screamed in a pool and later asked to recite a poem as a spirit
fluttering in and out of scenes. Even the Awesome Show regulars did
little to help the sinking ship- seeming self aware to the point of no
longer being unintentionally funny but rather being desperate for a
laugh and acceptance.
"Plot Points" go no where, like rehabilitating a mall ( which never
happens- although a commercial airs for the grand re-opening?), a man
eating wolf (that shows up once and dies in that very scene), Tim's new
son Jeffery (which is nothing more than an attempt at injecting their
patented "dad humor" into the mix- he gets oggled by Tim in a mildly
pedophilic manner and is shot by machine guns in mid air after being
stolen from his father, a used toilet paper salesman- as boringly
unfunny as it sounds), a love interest of Eric's (Tim seduces her, Eric
gives her a ring and then she gets shot and dragged outside and shot
some more), earning the billion dollars (they don't get the money or
seem to care if they do and the Shlaaang corporation doesn't even want
the money in the first place- they just want to brutally murder our
beloved duo). The constant anti climax isn't approached from the side
of anti-humor but rather from a poorly written string of events. Elder
abuse, boys going diarrhea on Eric in a bathtub, penis' getting
pierced, Tim having surprisingly unamusing "graphic sex", fake tans and
teeth, and drug use are explored- none achieving laughter,
uncomfortabilty, or any feeling other than a sinking heart at realizing
how far these two have fallen from comedic grace.
See, in this film, Tim and Eric have become parodies of themselves.
Their classic editing style is used frequently- each time seen from a
mile away- to the point of being no longer funny but a distraction. Now
that they have free reign to swear the two (especially Eric) take the
easy improvisational route and cuss needlessly. Their cheesy fight
scenes often used in the show are recycled to yawn inducing effect. At
a certain point i wondered, "Are Tim and Eric not funny?" The truth is
they do best when playing actual characters. Their personas in the film
are hollow, sarcastic, and clueless. It can work for eleven minutes but
stretching such empty characters to ninety minutes is futile. Jokes
from the show such as celebrity look-alikes, and Kent "me-me wants a
tan" taking out his dentures are recycled soul-lessly as if this movie
wasn't made for the long time loyal fans, but for the
johnny-come-lately's who claim to "get" and love T&E while
simultaneously calling it "random" and "stoner comedy" (which it never
was- if anything it constantly made fun of that ill informed notion of
the masses). They took out the substance and left style. Rather than
playing with clichés they inadvertently embraced them. And any attempt
at pseudo-satire greatly missed the mark. Thus, the great balance and
intertwining of high brow and low brow dissolved- leaving no brow.
When it boils down to it Tim and Eric were making this for their own
amusement because thats how they've approached everything they've
created- which is a sound approach. That is why I feel let down. How
can a duo who i once deemed "comedy geniuses" find this funny?
All in all this film was a slap in the face- but loyal fans should find
out for themselves. I was reluctant to write a review because i was
always the one getting upset at those that denounced their work. But
then i realized a loyal fan expects more than this from Tim and Eric-
and won't accept or applaud anything less than deserved. I hope it was
just a skid mark on their career and not a permanent stain.
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