[yasr_overall_rating]
Movie star Vincent Chase, together with his boys Eric, Turtle, and Johnny, are back – and back in business with super agent-turned-studio head Ari Gold on a risky project that will serve as Vince’s directorial debut.
I cannot say I had high hopes for HBO’s “Entourage” film because the last HBO series turned to film I saw was supremely disappointing as the characters didn’t look or feel as I had remembered them and the extra glitz and oddly forced acting was almost nauseating. I try my best to pretend the “Sex and the City” movies never happened, hoping that it was all merely a nightmare and that any DVD or Blu-ray I pass by in my local Target is simply a hallucination. Luckily, Entourage exceeded my expectations and was enjoyable enough to watch.
The gang’s all there, Vincent (Adrian Grenier), Eric (Kevin Connolly), Johnny (Kevin Dillon), and Turtle (Jerry Ferrara) as well as agent turned studio head Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven) doing what they do best. Eric is hopping in and out of relationships and making a mess out of things by sleeping with women that are the perfect concoctors of trouble, Johnny remains the struggling actor and butt end of every joke, but just as endearing, Vincent is as subdued as he always is, Turtle is just Turtle but thinner and Ari Gold is his maniacal forked-tongue self. Nothing has changed. They may be a little richer and party a little harder but there’s essentially no character development or growth. The formula remains the same and it works.
The highlight of the film is Billy Bob Thornton and Haley Joel Osment as Larsen and Travis McCredle, the billionaire Texan father-son duo that are the main financial backing for Vince’s directorial debut, “Hyde” which is a modern take on the gothic classic Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The film is already over budget and Vince needs more money which puts Ari in the unfortunate situation of having to actually go to Texas and meet with Larsen and his oafish son Travis. Apparently (and unsurprisingly) Texas is the equivalent of hell, decadently rich, backwards and uncultured per usual. Though it is hardly novel, the jokes and unprecedented fear of Texas are funny, Jeremy Piven is near enough flawless with the executions of his comical assaults.
Larsen McCredle refuses to put up any more money until a screening of the film is seen and he sends his son Travis back with Ari in order to determine whether or not the film is worthy of further investment. Travis wreaks havoc, putting the film on hold for a list of indiscriminate reasons, while the true reason ultimately is a grudge over a girl. Everyone bands together to make the film happen and it comes with surprising results.
Haley Joel Osment is a real treat in this film and is the perfect antagonist. It’s an unexpected performance of brilliant buffoonery. His performance alone is reason enough to go see the film. The film overall stays true to its television series origins, it’s only a tad more beefed up with more extravagant homes, cars, and cameos. And better yet, you don’t necessarily have to be a regular follower of the series to enjoy the film. If you are wanting some light-hearted fun with some adult and politically incorrect humor this film will do the trick.
In theaters now
