CS Weekly Archive > Weekend Read > 9/11/09

Essence of Comedy

By david wharton

Extract

Mike Judge (also directed)

After his science-fiction comedy Idiocracy came and went without many people noticing in 2006, writer-director Mike Judge has returned to the subject matter behind his cult classic Office Space: regular schmucks working crappy jobs, with just a hint of crime to spice things up. Extract introduces us to Joel (Jason Bateman), the put-upon owner of an extract plant who might find the energy to be more than blasé about his job if he wasn't so focused on trying to get laid by his indifferent, sweatpants-wielding wife (Kristen Wiig). As if things weren't bad enough, a freak accident leaves one of his workers sans testicle and feeling litigious, and that cute new temp (Mila Kunis) Joel thinks was flirting with him has more up her sleeve than just lovely arms. And I haven't even gotten to the pool-cleaning man-whore or Ben Affleck's beard yet. While Idiocracy was a funny and extremely prescient experiment, it's good to see Judge back in his wheelhouse. He's at his best when telling stories about average people dealing with above-average problems. Like Office Space and King of the Hill, Extract is filled with memorable characters, each of them distinct and recognizable from real life without going over the top into parody (with the possible exception of Gene Simmons' ambulance-chasing attorney). The humor here is firmly rooted in character, most of it hinging on Joel's disastrous blend of good intentions and horrible decision-making. It's been a weak summer for comedy, and while Judge may not get nearly the acclaim of, say, Judd Apatow, Extract's funny people are a lot funnier than Funny People's.

Extract
Miramax
Rated R; 90 min.

David Michael Wharton is managing editor of CS Weekly and a contributing editor of Creative Screenwriting Magazine. His unhealthy crush on Mila Kunis is only increasing.

Extract courtesy Miramax

From the Trenches
Working screenwriters discuss in their own words a particular aspect of screenwriting, from the mechanics of writing to the personal and professional impact that writing has had on their lives. > VIEW ARCHIVE

The Big Picture

Features that cover all aspects of screenwriting, from our "Seven Best" lists to analysis of old favorites and new classics. > VIEW ARCHIVE

Weekend Read
Film, book, web site and technology reviews from a writer’s perspective. How can these items help a writer on his or her journey, or make that journey more enjoyable? > VIEW ARCHIVE

DVD Review of the Day
DVD reviews from a writer’s point of view. What aspects of this script and features of this DVD illuminate the writing, development, and storytelling process? > VIEW ARCHIVE