Tuesday, September 3, 2024

LET’S GET PHYSICAL: STRETCH (2014) *** ½

FORMAT:  DVD

Patrick Wilson stars as a down and out limo driver in LA who owes a bunch of money to loan sharks.  One night, they call in his debt, and he’s forced to hustle all over town to keep his kneecaps in one piece.  When he gets the job of chauffeuring an eccentric billionaire (Chris Pine) around town for the night, he thinks it just might be the answer to his prayers.  Naturally, all he has to do is stay alive. 

We’ve seen this kind of “Day in the Life of a Loveable Loser” movie dozens of times before.  What separates Stretch from those films is that it’s done with energy, style, and a wicked sense of humor.  To make it even better, there are a handful of celebrities who show up in cameos playing grossly exaggerated versions of themselves, which give the flick its heartiest laughs.  I won’t spoil some of the bigger names.  Just know, they all came to play, and have no problem sending up their image. 

The movie really belongs to Patrick Wilson though.  He’s usually stuck playing the nice guy or the dad in most of his films, so he must’ve been relishing the opportunity to play such a foulmouthed fuck-up.  The way he delivers his deadpan narration gets some big laughs too.  Pine looks like he’s having a blast as well playing such a crazed degenerate.  Ed Helms is also amusing as the ghost of a former limo driver who haunts Wilson from the back seat.  Yeah, it’s that kind of movie, folks. 

I’m a fan of director Joe Carnahan.  While he’s generally made solid movies throughout his career. nothing has really been able to touch his debut film, Narc.  This might be the closest he’s come.  While is totally different in tone than that flick, it’s certainly a fun ride. 

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