THE GOODS: LIVE HARD, SELL HARD (2009)

Directed By: Neil Brennan
Written By: Andy Stock & Rick Stempson
Cinematography By: Daryn Okada
Editor: Michael Jablow & Kevin Jent

Cast: Jeremy Piven, James Brolin, Ed Helms, Ving Rhmaes, Craig Robinson, David Koechner, Kathryn Hahn, Jordana Spiro, Tony Hale, Matt Walsh, T.J. Miller, Wendie Malick, Noureen Dewulf, Charles Napier, Ken Jeong, Rob Riggle, Alan Thicke, Joey Kern, Jonathan Sadowski


This film is funny, It's lunacy truly hits it's peak alot of times, That you would expect from a Will Ferrel comedy. If he would have starred in it though it would have been one of his weaker efforts. It still would have been made memorable then it is here.

One of the problems that bungles the whole affair is the direction of the film by Neil Brennan it is just bad. Everything looks dirty and unattractive with basic camera direction and no pizzaz. For this movie to work

It doesn't help that the lead is played by Jeremy Piven a good actor who can be funny biut is more adept at playing villians. Here he makes the character come off as a slimeball and very sleezy with no redeeming values. Thus making him unlikeable and not really caring about his success or lack of in the long run. Though he does get more room to play with then he usually does. Most actors in the role would have made the character endearing at some point finding something to make the audience care about the character. He doesn't. for this film to work you need a comedic actor in the lead who can play the characters bad side of which there is much and still make him sympathetic and likeable.

Other then the writing what the film does have going for it is a talented supporting cast. They are all outrageous and hilarious. All of them seem to be having fun with theirn roles. The standouts being Ving Rhames, Craig Robinson and Especially Kathryn Hahn. Who seems to through all she has into the role abandoning any ego she might have. Here and in STEP BROTHERS she excels.

The film moves at a quick pace and is entertaining for what it is. The main love interest role is interesting in the fact that instead of going for a bombshell they went with a nornmal looking actress. It works for the story and it's location.

The film seems to be inspired by the Documentry "THE SLASHER" which was directed by John Landis (AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON) Whioch itself was about a so called closer whose preofession it is to help used car lots sell more cars to stay out of the red.

GRADE: C