Coming up on NFL Draft day the Cleveland Browns have been flailing for some time and it’s up to general manager, Sonny Weaver Jr. (Kevin Costner), to put together a potentially winning team for next season. Meanwhile, his father’s legacy looms large in the halls and team confidence is at an all time low; can he make the right decisions with his assistant, Ali (Jennifer Garner), that will make his players, coaches, mother, ex wife, and even the Seattle Seahawks happy? Directed by Ivan Reitman, the guy who used to hold the keys to the side door of the cinematic comedy palace, Draft Day is a mess. Here’s the recipe: 3 parts informational, 10 parts melodrama, 50 parts hokey, and a handful of jokes made at the Seattle Seahawks expense (intentional or otherwise). Blend all ingredients to a frappe of beige lumpy consistency and pour into tall glasses, refrigerate until mixture settles and serve at your next social function. So, there’s a little fun to be had here, and while new comers to football will appreciate the lessons the film has to offer, the overall story is so forced, so contrived, and so tied up in a little bow that eye rolls are almost mandatory at the film’s “exciting conclusion.” Maybe a rental. Draft Day is rated PG-13.
There once was a time when the British Salsa scene had a king by the name of Bruce Garrett (Nick Frost)– he was a 13 year old dancing phenom with a fire in his heels and snakes in his hips, partnered with his sister Sam (Olivia Colman) and coached by the infamous Ron Parfitt (Ian McShane) the two were unstoppable. Sadly, a tragic bullying incident would eventually shake Bruce to his timbers causing him to leave the dance world in shame. Now, 22 years later a new motivation to dance sparks in an out of shape and self pitying Bruce, his new attractive American Boss, Julia (Rashida Jones). Of course wining Julia’s attention will be difficult while office alpha male, Drew (Chris O’Dowd), is busy thumping his own chest, so, Salsa it will be, but will he even stand a chance?Co-written by Nick Frost, and Jon Brown, the film’s humor comes fast, furious, and what has the feel of improvisational dialogue. In a recent chat with Nick Frost, the actor/writer had this to say about scripting and improvising on set:
Meanwhile the dancing involved has a sense of genuine panache as well, Nick explains where his Salsa/Cuban Fury comes from:
Light hearted and fun all round, the end result is a date ready film with entertainment on the docket. Mind you, we’re not talking high cinema, but rather a romantic comedy that might just inspire you and your significant other to lace up your dancing shoes and learn to cut up the carpet. Oh and singles, here’s some food for thought on Salsa Lessons, good guys ears up, creepy dudes beware:
Directed by Ivan Reitman, the guy who used to hold the keys to the side door of the cinematic comedy palace, Draft Day is a mess. Here’s the recipe: 3 parts informational, 10 parts melodrama, 50 parts hokey, and a handful of jokes made at the Seattle Seahawks expense (intentional or otherwise). Blend all ingredients to a frappe of beige lumpy consistency and pour into tall glasses, refrigerate until mixture settles and serve at your next social function. So, there’s a little fun to be had here, and while new comers to football will appreciate the lessons the film has to offer, the overall story is so forced, so contrived, and so tied up in a little bow that eye rolls are almost mandatory at the film’s “exciting conclusion.” Maybe a rental. Draft Day is rated PG-13.