Good actors, bad plot
Extract doesn't meet expectations
By Evan Malone
Last Updated:11:21 PM EST 10/8/09 Section: Lifestyles
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Mike Judge, writer and director of Office Space, took a chance to make another classic movie that people would be quoting for years. I don't think he succeed this time around.
Jason Bateman stars in this comedy as Joel, an owner of an extract plant. Yes, the type of extract that you make chocolate chip cookies with. One of his biggest responsibilities as owner is to watch over the workers, who seem to resemble fifth graders with the way they argue and point fingers at each other.
Before Joel makes a final deal to sell the plant he built from the ground up and retire, a freak accident injures a worker, and the worker files a lawsuit with the company.
While all this goes on, Joel is dealing with a marriage that is slowly in a downward spiral.
When Joel's stoner friend Dean, played by Ben Affleck, peer pressures him into smoking marijuana, Joel makes a bad decision: he hires a pool boy to try to seduce his wife.
Cindy, played by Mila Kunis, is somewhat of a con artist. The first scene shows her stealing a guitar from a music store. She does all she can to get money. Cindy gets a job at the extract plant, and it seems as if she will either try to get closer with Joel or the injured worker looking to sue the extract company.
It is hard to see Kunis act when I can picture every word Kunis says coming out of the mouth of Meg Griffin from Family Guy.
The movie does have its funny moments. Watching Ben Affleck teach Jason Bateman to "hit a bong" is good for a few laughs.
David Koechner, best known for his small part in The Office as Michael Scotts' partner-in-crime Todd Packer, has a minor role as Joel's neighbor. He plays the obnoxious guy next door that is always in the yard and will drag on a conversation when it is obvious Joel is in a hurry or doesn't want to talk.
I enjoy other movies that Jason Bateman is in, especially Juno (even though he does get a little creepy in that movie). I think that Mila Kunis is very funny on That 70's Show. Kristen Wiig, who plays Joel's wife, is funny but has a minor role. The same is true with Ben Affleck's character.
All of these actors are funny people, but I just don't think the plot is very funny. It has subtle humor, which I typically love, but this movie just didn't do it for me. It might be one of those movies that you have to watch a few times; the more you watch it, the better it gets.
My advice to you would be to spend $10 on a sub and Arnold Palmer Ice Tea & Lemonade at Wegmans instead of spending it on this movie.
ejm03514@sjfc.edu
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