Martin
& Orloff (*1/2)
review by Jon
Waterman
Martin Flam recently just returned home after a failed suicide
attempt. Something about his advertising job led him to want
to end it all, but he really isn’t saying what. One of
the conditions upon his release is that he sees a psychiatrist
to avoid another attempt. Enter Dr. Orloff. The doctor takes
Martin under his wing. The only problem is Martin just wants
to go home. During his first session, Martin gets roped into
following Orloff around town as he runs zany errands, quickly
finding that the doctor probably needs more help than the patient.
Brought to you by cult favorite sketch comedy group Upright
Citizens Brigade (UCB), I really was hoping for more from this
film. I can’t say I was really expecting a whole lot,
but I wanted it to be good. The only reason I wasn’t
expecting much is because what they’re putting together
on screen is a straight narrative feature film and what they
put on their television show was a series of interconnected,
somewhat themed sketches that all tie together in a giant ball
of chaotic fun. I don’t care how talented you are, I
can’t imagine it’s really easy to do that well
in movie format.
Here’s where they went wrong. Each of the four members
of the troupe (Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Matt Walsh and Ian
Roberts – the last two co-wrote the script with Katie
Roberts) only play one character. What they should have done
is pulled a “Brain Candy” or a “Coming to
America” and taken on a couple different roles which
could have taken a couple of the scenes in a different direction.
Maybe they were afraid of confusing the audience, but I gotta
say their brand of humor isn’t exactly geared towards
the lowest common denominator no matter how big the screen.
Still, anytime so many comedians come together to make a movie,
one would hope it would be, you know, funny. It has its moments,
but in general, it moves slowly and all the comedic situations
are really just quirky – and unfunny – happenings.
The low production values didn’t help matters either.
You’re watching a very low budget picture and it shows.
I’d like to think it doesn’t detract from the overall
experience, but unfortunately it does. Maybe if they make another
film, it’ll be more in tune with the style fans have
come to know and love. This is just weird for the sake of being
weird.
respond to jon@filmbrats.com
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