The Interview (2014)
Cast includes: James Franco (127 Hours), Seth Rogen (Arrested Development), Lizzy Caplan (Masters of Sex), Randall Park (Larry Crowne), Diana Bang (Tom Dick & Harriet)
Director: Evan Goldberg (Pineapple Express), Seth Rogen (This Is the End)
Genre: Comedy (112 minutes)
“Our Beloved Leader is wise. He is gentle, kind and strong,” goes the song about Kim Jong-un. “May the US be destroyed,” the song continues… “Die America, Die.” At this point, “a missile big enough to reach the west coast of the United States” is launched. The media explodes with speculation about North Korea’s “young untested leader with nuclear ambitions.” Meanwhile Dave Skylark of Skylark Tonight has just scored another big scoop… Eminem admits he’s gay on the show. “Bring it in!!!” Afterward, Dave’s planned a surprise party for his producer Aaron Rapaport… 1,000 episodes. Dave couldn’t have done it without Aaron. A friend of Aaron’s is at the party… a senior producer at 60 Minutes… a cruel reminder of how frivolous Aaron’s programs are. “You’d be eaten alive at 60 Minutes.”
In a blog posting, the Dave learns that “Kim Jong-un is known to be an avid consumer of American TV… especially Skylark Tonight." That gives Dave the idea of trying to get an interview with Kim. The North Koreans take the bate, and Aaron finds himself on a mountaintop in northeastern China to negotiate the terms. Instead, Sook, a super hot chick in uniform barks out the terms… “24 hours to decide.” “They’re writing all the questions… we can’t do this,” says Aaron. “We gotta do it… this is like Lord of the Rings, OK?” says Dave. When the interview is announced, the mainstream media comes out with every snarky comment they can think of. “They hate us because they anus,” says Dave. [Translation: They hate us because they ain’t us.] The next day CIA Agent Lacey shows up at their door. While Dave is making “stink dick” gags, Lacey is explaining how the CIA would like them to “take him out.” “What!!!” The plan is for Dave to shake Kim’s hand while wearing a “transdermal delayed-release risen-infused Band-Aid." With minimal training, the two are off. “Please remember you are entering into the most dangerous and unpredictable regime on earth.”
“It’s show time!!!” Almost immediately, the plan comes off the rails. But Dave pushes onward. “Is it true that Kim doesn’t pee or poo?” he asks Sook. Kim’s a God… “he doesn’t even have a butthole. He has no need for one.” As the CIA tries to get the plot back on track, Kim wants to spend time with his favorite American TV star… and the two find they have much in common… obviously inspired by the Dennis Rodman version of Kim. It's yet another complicating factor.
Given the real-world cyber attacks on Sony Pictures and the messed-up release of the film, we might be expecting some profound insights in the movie. It’s a campy, almost cartoon-like narrative with plenty of over-the-top slapstick comedy. For what it is, it’s very well done… good performances and production with a good script and plenty of unexpected plot twists. It remains to be seen how the movie’s release will play out. One can hardly blame the Kim regime for taking offence to the portrayal of their God as a goofy nitwit. But that said, the cyber threats are going to guarantee that the film will be in the spotlight long after it would have faded away otherwise. During Dave and Kim’s male bonding day, Dave says, “You’re like the coolest guy. Yet some say you’re bat-shit crazy.” Dave may need proof of Kim’s bat-shit craziness, but we already have it.
3 popped kernels
Popular talk show host gets an interview with Kim Jong-un and agrees to a CIA request to “take him out.”
Popcorn Profile
Rated: PG-13 (Language)
Audience: Young adults & Grown-ups
Distribution: Mainstream wide release
Mood: Upbeat
Tempo: Zips right along
Visual Style: Unvarnished realism
Character Development: Engaging
Language: True to life
Social Significance: Pure entertainment & Thought provoking
