Year One

Director: Harold Ramis
Writers:
Harold Ramis
Gene Stupnitsky

Viewed by Columbus Film Guild June 2009

It’s hard not to like movies written by Harold Ramis. Loved, still love, Ghostbusters. Classic. And Groundhog Day and Analyze This are still up there as favorites. But the entire first act of Year One makes me question my loyalty. What happened? The rest of the movie reads like a classic, with more than a hint of Mel Brooks’ comedy. But Act I, no way. Dull lines and a predictable plot with so-so jokes make up the caveman universe. Maybe Harold didn’t have much to do with the writing on this act. The way writers come and go on feature films, and the writing credits only list the primaries (or last ones remaining standing), it’s hard to tell who wrote the really painful-to-watch beginning (think Captain Ron) and who gets kudos for the rest.

But finally, when Zed (Jack Black) and Oh (Michael Cera) set out to impress everyone in their caveman village by exploring the far reaches of their world, the movie starts to pick up. Cane and Abel were hysterical (think Monty Python). And only in movies with great comedic writing would numerous circumcision jokes make everyone fall on the floor laughing. It was tremendously funny to see Zed and Oh experience motion sickness and throw their hands in the air roller coaster-style while in a cart pulled slowly by a mule.

Steven and I felt like Oliver Platt as the High Priest stole the show. I mean really, that had to be improv when he was foretelling the future by examining fresh animal entrails. And I loved the frankness and dry delivery of the medicine man. Hank Azaria was great as Abraham, much better than Kahmunrah in Night at the Museum/Smithsonian. The conflicting timelines and eras (Cavemen and biblical figures intertwined with Romans and Greeks) were, as Erin pointed out, confusing. But it also gave the writers a chance to make jokes about multiple historic figures all the while adding some contemporary quips …”Thursday is the new Friday!”…and Michael Cera’s barely audible, “Yes we can!”

The Film Guild saw many cameos… Someone in the group (forgive my poor memory) said Year One was like the old Bob Hope/Bing Crosby Road-To movies, but it should be renamed Road to Sodom. Did you catch that the actor from “Best Week Ever” as the enthusiastic volunteer amidst the slaves, or Paul Rudd as Abel (not credited)? And could Steven be right, that Oh’s wig during the final scenes was a leftover from Wayne’s World?

Too many site gags, poop jokes and idiotic revelations? Year One is a Jack Black movie, after all. And with a tagline of “Meet your ancestors, “ we knew what we were in for. And it didn’t fail to deliver on this count. But Sodom seemed a bit tame, and Chris suggested that perhaps the PG-13 rating or a length issue caused raunchier jokes to remain on the cutting room floor.

Year One garnered a C+ or B- from the Columbus Film Guild, but would be good as a rental over a couple of cocktails.

There was a great discussion of the movie afterwards, especially given the major rainstorm and overall gloom that the MJ and Farrah deaths brought earlier that day.

- Mary Lyski

July Movie: TBD (Juan Torres)