The D Train

Why is it that comedies, by and large, are just not as funny as they were years ago? For some reason, they feel like unless they aren't over-the-top in the antics, lines and delivery, then it's just not funny. This couldn't be further from the truth. When I saw the trailer for "The D Train", it looked like it could have promise, and in some ways it did, but at the end of the day, it was a script that was as contrite as a lot of their predecessors.

All his life, Dan Landsman (Jack Black) has never been a cool guy. That's about to change-- if he can convince Oliver Lawless (James Marsden), the most popular guy from high school who's now the face of a national Banana Boat ad campaign, to show up with him to their class reunion. A man on a mission, Dan travels from Pittsburgh to L.A. and spins a web of lies to recruit Lawless. But he gets more than he bargains for as the unpredictable Lawless proceeds to take over his home, career, and his entire life. How far will Dan go to be this popular? Will the end really justify the means or is Dan living in a fog?

Others to round out the cast are Kathryn Hahn as Stacey, Dan's wife, Jeffrey Tambor as Bill Shurmur, Dan's boss, Russell Posner as Zach, Dan's son, Kyle Bornheimer as Randy, Mike White as Jerry, Henry Zebrowski as Craig, all Dan's friends, Corrina Lyons as Lucy, Han Soto as Dale Harkin, Donna Duplantier as Taj, Charlotte Gale as Renina, Denise Williamson as Alyssa, Danielle Greenup as Heather and Dermot Mulroney as Himself.

Remember what I said in the prior review about the number of newer, but talented filmmakers that have come along? Well, with this film, I have to retract that statement. This was directed by Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel who have no other films to their credit, and this shows, because the staging and pacing could've been tighter. Black and Marsden gave it their all, but they weren't allowed to shine like I believe they could've. It was also written by Paul and Mogel ("Yes Man" '08), plus some TV, and what started as a promising premise, soon turned to a pure over-the-top trite comedy we've seen far too many times. The message here is clear: as the old adage goes--"Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive". This storyline lets its audience know that constant lying will get you nowhere. In fact, your life will go into a tailspin in the process. The means in which these writers used were hammering to the head--I get it already, but this IS the difference between seasoned and unseasoned writers. Maybe these guys should work on more TV to hone their potential before they continue in the feature film realm.

If you like silly, exaggerated, unruly comedies, this will be for you, but if a more sophisticated, well written, but funny comedy is what you're looking for, I would bag this and wait for the DVD.

Out of 4 Stars: 2                                 Rated: R                                      102mins.