NATURE CALLS (2012)

Written & Directed By: Todd Rohal 
Cinematography By: Steve Gainer 
Editor: Nat Sanders & Alan Canant 

Cast: Johnny Knoxville, Patton Oswalt, Maura Tierney, Rob Riggle, Patrice O’Neal, Darrell Hammond, Kelly Coffield Park


Polar-opposite brothers Randy and Kirk never saw eye-to-eye, but their rivalry is taken to a new level when Randy hijacks Kirk's son's sleepover, taking the boys on a Scout Trip to remember.

While this film has a great idea and storyline. It goes off onto a strange existence that it is hard to fully understand or did it entertaining.

The film sets itself up to be some kind of comedic grand opus, but then becomes some minuscule. It throws the audience off and the rhythm of the film that already seems to skip a best now and then as there are some jokes though it always seems like they are missing something. So that the film is humorous, though not exactly funny.

It also seems to be trying to impart a message and be a bit heartwarming, yet skewer that to make it more heart burning.

The film also seems to aim for juvenile gross out humor, that is understandable, but at times feels like it's trying too hard to go over the line of bad taste to a degree. I believe the film is also hastened by a lower budget then it might have needed and a short running time. Which I have no idea of it was cut down or originally intended for the films running time.

The film plays broad and never really set's a tone to know I some of the performances are too over the top or in line who the humor and comedy of the film. Especially as the film has a cast of good veteran comedic actors and a cast of talent that normally I would respect and expect better from. Though I will admit they make the film better than it might have been. Though with more of a unknown cast the film might have hardly been a blip or noticed at all or congratulated by what was achieved with no stars and punished more as it has the talent and know how to make it better.

Though this seems more like a mainstream attempt director Todd Rohal previous film was more low key, weird and dry humored. All the same things are here but in a more mainstream setting that seems even more weird and desperate as it doesn't for in and tries to be something it's not.

I can't say this film is horrible, it's entertaining for what it is as long as you aren't expecting too much. I just can't say it's good.

It's a perverse little abnormality that you pay attention to, though not memorable except for the points where I could have been good had it gone a different way or tried something else. I only wish the cast had a better film to be in or better moments in which to shine. Especially Patton Oswalt coming off of two really good independent films BIG FAN and YOUNG ADULT

 Grade: C-