Bateman plays up the scorched-earth humor in ‘Bad Words’
The problem with “Bad Words” — to the extent that there is one — is that, like its protagonist, it tries too hard.
In the overall scheme of things, that’s not such a bad thing.
Jason Bateman has become one of the most dependable straight men around. In “Arrested Development,” he was the often-hapless good guy, trying, with hilariously poor results, to keep his dysfunctional family together. He’s
Director:
Jason Bateman. Cast: Jason Bateman, Kathryn Hahn, Allison Janney. Rating: R for crude and sexual content, language and brief nudity. Great Fair
Bad Good
Bomb played a variation on that role in such films as “Horrible Bosses” — the put-upon, decent fellow reacting to the insanity that surrounds him.
Not here. In “Bad Words,” he provides the insanity him- self. In his debut as a director, Bateman plays the bad guy, the foul-mouthed, overage spelling-bee participant. For mysterious reasons, he insists on competing in the annual competition, to the frustration and sometimes humiliation of his wee opponents and, especially, their parents.
To be clear: This is humor, in a script by Andrew Dodge, of the scorched-earth variety. Nothing is sacred. Much of it is offensive, on purpose. Either you agree that this establishes Bateman’s character, Guy Trilby, as a deeply dis- turbed man with a pretty wicked sense of humor, or you get offended by him telling an Indian child, “Shut your curry hole.” It’s played for revealing laughs or it isn’t. Bateman, wisely, leaves this up to you to decide.
Guy insists upon competing and won’t tell anyone why, not even online reporter Jenny Widgeon (Kathryn Hahn), whose site is sponsoring his run (and footing the bill). Occasionally, against her better judgment, she has hilariously angry sex with him.
Guy, who evidently knows how to spell every word ever created with ease, exploits a loophole in the competition’s bylaws, something about his status as not having advanced past the eighth grade making him eligible. No one can kick him out, not even the long-ago former champion and perturbed director of the compe-
See ‘BAD WORDS’, Page P4