Have a Gay Old Time
MOVIE REVIEW
Year One (2009)
Suzanne Hanover/Columbia Pictures
“Year One” is precisely the sort of clunky high-concept comedy that’s become the norm for Harold Ramis. It’s a collection of throwaway gags in search of a narrative and some characters, made more in the tradition of “Bedazzled” than “Groundhog Day.” Lots of talented people slum their way through halfhearted comic situations that usually devolve into fart jokes, gay jokes or biblical puns.
Jack Black and Michael Cera play themselves, as they always do. Here, they’re transported to an ancient milieu best described as what would emerge had the world of “The Flintstones” met the Old Testament. When caveman Zed (Mr. Black) mistakenly wreaks havoc on his tribe, he and Oh (Mr. Cera) take off to see if the world really does end at the other side of the mountains. They discover that it doesn’t, and embark on an odyssey through the early parts of Genesis, encountering Cain (David Cross) and Abel (Paul Rudd), Abraham (Hank Azaria) and other bigwigs.
The actors approach each scene with a sly, winking attitude that immediately undermines any slim potential for the film leaving some substantive impact. Mr. Ramis has forgotten that it’s impossible to make a good comedy if everyone involved seems preternaturally aware of how funny they’re being. The hallmarks of success in the genre — convincingly appearing to not know the humor value of a certain conceit, treating ridiculousness with straightforward sincerity — are missing in every snide knowing line reading and moment of unabashed mugging that comprise the entirety of “Year One.”
The picture’s premise ensures its entrenchment in the broadest of broad territories. There’s no room for subtlety when there’s another rambling referential set piece to unfold, or another bible anecdote to reference. The characters play second fiddle to the scenery, the circumcision jokes and – in the ultimate act of creative bankruptcy – some hopelessly dry action scenes. Mr. Ramis shoots the picture with the dulled eye of a sitcom director, keeping his camera at a conventional medium distance from the actors and never even attempting to evoke the sense of wonder that should be intrinsic to a film set in such a rarely depicted world. The filmmaker imbues “Year One” with all the creative energy of a middling, time-filler “Saturday Night Live” skit as his actors – playing dress-up – indulge in their laziest instincts. Viewers beware: You can’t change the channel.
YEAR ONE
Opens on June 19 in the United States and on June 26 in Britain.
Directed by Harold Ramis; written by Mr. Ramis, Gene Stupnitsky and Lee Eisenberg, based on a story by Mr. Ramis; director of photography, Alar Kivilo; edited by Craig P. Herring and Steve Welch; music by Theodore Shapiro; production designer, Jefferson Sage; produced by Mr. Ramis, Judd Apatow and Clayton Townsend; released by Columbia Pictures. Running time: 1 hour 40 minutes. This film is rated PG-13 by M.P.A.A.
WITH: Jack Black (Zed), Michael Cera (Oh), Oliver Platt (High Priest), David Cross (Cain), Paul Rudd (Abel), Christopher Mintz-Plasse (Isaac), Vinnie Jones (Sargon) and Hank Azaria (Abraham).
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