HOT TUB TIME MACHINE (REVIEW)
It
is impossible to walk out after seeing this over the top comedy without a big
smile on your dial. As for anyone who can remember when MTV was actually music
television, or sat down to watch 'The Cosby Show', there is further enjoyment
to be had. 'Hot Tub Time Machine' is as straight forward as the title sounds.
Four
depressed friends, led by Adam (John Cusack), have a miserable existence with
a lifetime of missed opportunities. Recently divorced Adam is constantly wondering
if he should reconcile with Jennie, the vapid dreamgirl he foolishly dumped in
the past. Fellow unhappy slackers Nick and Lou are best friends with Adam, but
are equally exhausted with a stagnant life. Even Adam's young relative Jacob can
see the dismay in his elder's eyes, none more so from Nick who's outlook on a
promising music career halted after marrying his best friend, the over bearing
Courtney.
Things are about to change however - all four boys
stumble across an old hot tub from a rundown ski resort and thus begin their retro
road trip of sorts. It glows, swirls, bubbles and whisks them back to 1986 where
the ladies wore legwarmers and the gents dressed like Detective Sonny Crockett
from Miami Vice. Confused at first, it's a dream come true for these underachievers.
The diverting tactics and key indicators that hindered their past can now be changed
to make their lives better in the future.
A barrage of unlikely
situations flow with movie references from the era galore. From 'The Karate Kid',
to 'Back to the Future', even John Cusack's own classic, 'Better Off Dead' is
quoted; 'I want my $2'. Unusual circumstances include stumbling across their younger
selves, former girlfriends, and a knowledge of such things as the internet and
the iPod that the MTV generation know nothing about. This allows many of the crazy
one-liners to be so effective. Not surprising as director Steve Pink is a successful
comedy scriptwriter of 'High Fidelity' & 'Gross Pointe Blank'.
John
Cusack is, as always, dry, witty and reworking his characters he played in the
decade itself. Clark Duke as chubby, thick glasses wearing Jacob is worth mentioning.
His generation gap is amusing full of priceless observations. Another 80's icon,
Chevy Chase, makes a welcome appearance as the hot tub fix-it guy with a secret
and look fast for lovely tall Canadian actress, Melissa Pare in the small role
- a rising talent who broke my heart in the brilliant, 'Lost & Delirious'.
The
soundtrack, as expected, is a throwback to when you knew every song in the 'Countdown'
top 10. Artists such as Talking Heads, Spandau Ballet, Poison and Men Without
Hats, yes Men Without Hats threaten to make you feel old when you hear their 'Saftey
Dance'.
The materialism of modern society is gloriously turned
on its head in the most out there film I have seen for some time, CHOOSE LIFE,
see 'Hot Tub Time Machine'.
Shane A. Bassett
