SCREEN
KEVIN KLINE’S KLUTZ The Extra Man in desperate need of extra help GEORGE PRENTICE Kevin Kline gives a wonderful performance in The Extra Man. That was to be expected. Unfortunately, his skills are wasted in one of the most disappointing films of the year. About halfway through what feels like an interminable movie, two of the characPaul Dano and Kevin Kline: terrified that someone might recognize them from The Extra Man. ters echoed my thoughts. Louis (Paul Dano) asks his quasi-mentor Harry (Kline), “Is it who is Louis’ workmate, is not a catalyst to so wrong to be interested in you?” Without more than extra. I’m essential. Women the plot but rather a passerby. There’s more usually outlive their husbands, so there’s a thought, Harry replies, “Of course. I’m electricity in a 9-volt battery than between always room for an extra man at the table. not remotely interested in you.” Holmes and Dano. What I bring is the complete package: wit, And that was pretty much how I felt The biggest heartbreak is Kline’s Harry. intelligence, an uncommon joie de vivre.” when the ending credits rolled. He wanders through The Extra Man as if he Two hours earlier when the movie began, But as an audience, we can only hope. was in search of a better movie. I’m guessFor some crazy reason, directors Shari The Extra Man had everything going for it. Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini (it took ing that Kline was attracted to the project First, it has an excellent cast: Kline, Dano, John C. Reilly, Katie Holmes and legendary two directors to helm this mess?) don’t trust because Harry is such a comically rich chartheir central characters enough. Instead they acter. It’s just too bad Kline couldn’t have stage actress Marian Seldes. played every other role in the movie, writintroduce a hamKline’s Harry is ten the script, directed the film and scored fisted plot centered a hoot. Living just the music. The soundtrack is as confused on cross-dressing. It this side of povTHE EXTRA MAN (R) turns out that Louis, as the plot. One moment, it’s thumping erty, he spends late Directed by Shari Springer Berman rhythm and blues, the next it’s sappy pop. in his self-exploranights dancing solo and Robert Pulcini Instead of whimsical, quirky or even ection, would prefer to to classical music. Starring Kevin Kline, Paul Dano, explore that self in a centric, The Extra Man is smug, vulgar and His movements are John C. Reilly, Katie Holmes disappointing, but in spite of all of its failbra and nightgown. one part Catherine Opens this Friday at Flicks And crime of crimes, ings, there is one memorably charming moGraham, three parts ment in The Extra Man. On a wintery New they waste Reilly, psychedelic chicken. York beach, Reilly sings “Lara’s Theme who usually gins Harry is a would-be (Somewhere My Love),” as Kline teaches up any comedy he’s in. Here he plays an playwright who’s more of a must-be opDano how to waltz. The whole thing lasts inner-city grizzly of a man who speaks in a portunist. He’s a social-climbing escort but falsetto. The gimmick is good for a laugh or about 20 seconds. Too bad it didn’t last the quick to say he’s not a gigolo. length of the movie. two but very quickly wears thin. “I’m an extra man,” Harry explains. And rarely-seen Katie Holmes’ Mary, “Although, I would argue that I’m much
SCREEN/LISTINGS Special Screenings
Opening
GRIEFWALKER—Film examining death and grief. Sat., Sept. 4, 6:30 p.m. $10-$15 donation. Center for Spiritual Living, 600 N. Curtis Road, Boise, 208-375-0751, www. spiritual-living.org.
THE AMERICAN—George Clooney plays an assassin hiding out in Italy after trying to leave his profession behind him. (R) Edwards
NAPOLEON DYNAMITE— Special screening of the 2004 film that served as Idaho’s cultural ambassador before Trey McIntyre came to town. Mon., Sept. 6, 7:30 p.m. $8.50. Flicks Theatre, 646 Fulton St., Boise, 208342-4222.
32 | SEPTEMBER 1–7, 2010 | BOISEweekly
THE DRY LAND—Local producer Heather Rae’s new film about a soldier returning from Iraq and struggling to adapt to life at home. (R) Flicks THE EXTRA MAN—Kevin Kline plays a lousy playwright and male escort. See Review, this page. (R) Flicks
GOING THE DISTANCE—Justin Long and Drew Barrymore star in a romantic comedy about the trials and tribulations of a long-distance relationship. Hilarity ensues. (R) Edwards MACHETE—Robert Rodriguez’s full-length film based on the fake trailer he shot for Grindhouse, in which an ex-Federale seeks revenge on his former employers who tried to have him killed. Stars Danny Trejo, Steven Seagal, Lindsay Lohan, Don Johnson, Cheech Marin and Bobby DeNiro. (R) Edwards
Continuing AVATAR SPECIAL EDITION—A marine takes remote control of an alien body to infiltrate a tribe on the planet Pandora. Re-released with unseen bonus footage. (PG-13) Edwards 22 DESPICABLE ME—Armed with a score of threatening artillery, the villainous Gru, (Steve Carrell) is plotting to steal the moon when three orphaned girls get in his way. (PG) Edwards 22 DINNER FOR SCHMUCKS— Tim’s (Paul Rudd) boss hosts a monthly event in which the
employee who brings the biggest buffoon gets a careerboost. The scheme backfires when he brings Barry (Steve Carell). (PG-13) Edwards 9, Edwards 22 EAT, PRAY, LOVE—On the heels of a painful divorce, a woman (Julia Roberts) sets out to explore the world and seek out her destiny. (PG-13) Edwards 9, Edwards 22 THE EXPENDABLES— A group of mercenaries undertake a near-impossible operation to overthrow a dictator in South America. (R) Edwards 9, Edwards 22
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