"Get Him To The Greek" Is Not A Successful Comeback

Both Jonah Hill (of "Superbad" fame) and Russell Brand, the British stand-up comedian, were hilarious as secondary characters in the 2008 film, "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," which starred the film's writer Jason Segel (currently seen on TV's "How I Met Your Mother") as Peter. Brand was the breakout star for his role as Aldous Snow— a seven years sober, yoga friendly, rock star who seduced Peter's girlfriend. Hill stole laughs as a hotel worker with a man-crush on Aldous, chasing him with music demos and complimentary cake. Although he should have been disliked, Brand's dry-witted, charismatic and sexually charged Aldous was not the bad guy. Peter and the audience couldn't help but like Aldous for his "Zen" take on life and relationships. He was an altruistic cad.

However, Segel did not write "Get Him To the Greek," the film spin-off reprising his Aldous Snow character, which Brand certainly made his own. Hill is casted this time as a record company intern, Aaron Greene, who's new assignment is to get Aldous— now "off the wagon" and steeped in bad publicity from a controversial record — to a comeback concert in the Los Angeles' Greek Theatre. This film is written and directed by the same "Marshall" director, Nicholas Stoller, but unfortunately, "Greek" might have benefited from Segel reprising his writing role since most of this film wastes the comedic talents of its stars.

"Marshall" was crude and funny, but it also had well-developed characters and a story with a meaningful message. The plot of "Greek" is loosely thrown together providing very little motivation for the audience to care about these characters' mishaps. It neglected to utilize the elements of the Aldous character that were so funny the first time around. Aldous is less amusing as a self-loathing, drunken drug addict who mopes over his ex-wife and child who might as well have not been in the film at all. The revelation that the boy is not his son near the end would have more impact if more than one line of dialogue (and sad photo moment) was dedicated to him previously. Trust me when I say knowing this plot point in advance spoils nothing.

The movie isn't short on physical humor with Hill on screen. Some of it is briefly funny while some goes a bit too far. Some funny moments revolve around the wacky Aldous and his party antics, leaving Aaron suffering as the result of booze, drugs or adrenaline shots. I laughed at Hill's drunken mishaps and discomfort, especially when hiding drugs in an uncomfortable place. However, I found myself not laughing more often. That's no good for an "R" rated comedy that isn't limited on where the jokes can go. Unfortunately, it went for vulgar in lieu of clever observation and situational jokes, which is the stuff that made these actors successfully funny in "Marshall." Both actors are far more capable than falling back on this for laughs in every scene.

One surprise is P. Diddy's role as Sergio, Aaron's demanding boss who sends him on the mission to bring Aldous to Los Angeles. Sergio threatens Aaron's job if he fails to get Aldous to each of his destinations. The Sergio character appears to be a wink to what people may assume of P. Diddy— he's egotistical, demanding and wealthy. Turns out, he can also be funny. Sergio is a business man short on sympathy and tolerance for  Aaron as he berates him in person or over the phone.

"Greek" is dark and confusing. It mixes the crude humor of "Marshall," with all-too serious plot lines including Aldous' drinking and drug problems, daddy issues and perverse view on relationships. Aaron also suffers with relationship troubles with Daphne, his live-in doctor girlfriend. They fight just before Aaron leaves for England to pick up Aldous. She demands they move to Seattle so she can take a better job and have more time with Aaron. As another desperate plot device, Aaron mistakes this fight for a break up and proceeds to party with Aldous and sleeps with another woman. Aside from the chances of Aaron even having this beautiful doctor as a girlfriend, it's an absurd misunderstanding so we can see Aaron fumble through rock star life style and still be likable (maybe). It provides the background needed to motivate an awkward three-way attempt between Aldous, Aaron and Daphne later in the film, which is more disturbing than funny. It's a stretch that never quite pays off.

Most of the time, what starts out as funny takes a very dark turn. By the end, Aldous feels bad about all his destructive behaviors and becomes "suicidal" (threatens to jump off a building) though it's never clear if he really means to do it. The audience was very quiet during Aldous' tearful apology to Aaron, except for one or two audience members who actually laughed. This is a testament to the confusion on how the audience should react.

The message of "Greek" is unclear and not so funny because it tried to be dramatic when it wasn't necessary. What's most disappointing is that the hard work was already done— "Marshall" laid the ground work for the quirky Aldous character. However, "Greek" cut out all the Aldous personality traits we enjoyed in the previous film, leaving behind a pathetic and unfunny person. The film had its laugh moments, but there were just too few. I probably went with too high expectations since I had the previous film in mind. Don't make the same mistake.