I don't think most critics get this movie. Or else I don't get the movie and liked it because of my cinematic ignorance. Granted, this is not a smart movie, or anywhere close to looking for awards from any film group. Instead, it is a fun, family comedy, of which there have been very few lately. The story is set by five buddies who all played on the same basketball team (probably in junior high) for Coach Buzzer. When coach dies, they all get together for the funeral and then spend a weekend back a the old lakehouse with all their families. Here the five guys revert back to their high school mentalities in many ways (much like when adult children return home to visit the parents, the also unwittingly revive old family roles). They also are sorting out what it means to be the parents and spouses, and are learning about themselves along the way. None of this is groundbreaking or unique. However, I liked that the tone of the film was nice. Many critics called this out as a bunch of comics just tossing off mean spirited jabs without much creativity or energy. What I saw was exactly what a bunch of high school friends are like when they get together 20 years later. These five guys all have high school reputations and high school personalities and the guys drop immediately back into this familiar form of relating. They throw around insults and jokes, constantly jabbing at each other, fully expecting a verbal jab back. They know they are not original but laugh together just because it is comfortable being together again. There is no ill will or mean spirited tone, and the comedy is not biting or edgy. I think the critics missed the point that this is probably more realisitic than not, and realism isn't something that Hollywood is comfortable with. I laughed throughout and felt good at the end. What more could you ask?
4 stars (out of 5)
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