Bad Words is Jason Bateman's directorial debut. He also stars in the movie alongside Kathryn Hahn, Allison Janney, and Rohan Chand. Screenwriter Andrew Dodge spells out a story that is sure to offend, enlighten, and/or entertain just about anyone who chooses to get in its way.
When I saw this movie, I knew absolutely nothing about it. Nothing other than it involved a 40 year old guy entering a spelling bee meant for kids and there would be lots of profanity involved. Of course, that sounds like a recipe for a mailed in effort that gives the audience nothing more than a bunch of terrible one liners and bathroom humor wrapped into a paint by numbers story. Bad Words is not that movie.
Screenwriter Andrew Dodge does a great job at taking profanity and making it mean something to the story rather than just being there for the sake of using the words. His lead character Guy Tribley, played brilliantly by Mr. Bateman, is a master wordsmith and not just when it comes to the more difficult ones like those found in championship spelling bee competitions. His proficient use of profanity knows no equal and he uses this rare ability to its full extent when he needs to make a point. We also get great performances from Kathryn Hahn as a reporter trying to figure out why Tribley is on this odd journey as well as Rohan Chand who plays Tribley's spelling bee arch enemy.
The comedy in this movie is smart and sometimes outrageous, but never goes too far over the edge and everyone in the cast seems to be giving it their all. Bateman manages to take full advantage of every scene and every bit of dialog for maximum effect. Even with how much I was doubled over from laughter, I was honestly very impressed with how entertaining the story was as well. If this is what can be expected from Bateman as a director, then we, as a movie going audience, have a lot to look forward to.
This is a Red Band trailer because it contains Bad Words. Get it? haha
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