STARS : JASON BIGGS, STEVE ZAHN, JACK BLACK, AMANDA PEET, R. LEE ERMEY, AMANDA DETMER, NEIL DIAMOND

This film was released in the US as ‘Saving Silverman’, Darren Silverman (Jason Biggs) is the romantic who wonders if he has missed out on his one true love. His childhood pals J.D. (Jack Black) and Wayne (Steve Zahn) are always looking out for him. The three of them play in a Neil Diamond tribute band - ‘Diamond in the Rough’.

One night while drinking after a gig, Wayne sets up Darren with Judith, a stunner he knows absolutely nothing about. from the beginning Judith shows who wears the pants in this relationship. Judith basically takes over Darren’s life to the horror of J.D and Wayne. They realise if they don’t do something quick, they could lose Darren forever, particularly as Judith has proposed to Darren.

They try to convince Darren that Judith is no good for him and when that fails they try to convince Judith to dump Darren. There is only one problem, J.D. and Wayne rank just slightly above chimps on the intellect scale and Judith is running circles around them. So what do you do, when you cant match her for intellect, kidnap her and fake her death of course! After several botched attempts to kidnap her, they eventually have her tied up in Wayne’s basement.

The guys try to convince Darren of the need to move on with his life but is reluctant (despite his fianc?e being dead for a whole 24 hours, go figure!) and see his recently returned high school crush Sandy (Amanda Detmer) as the answer to their prayers. Have the boys found the solution to their little problem, well no, Judith is still tied up in Wayne’s basement and is playing havoc with J.D. and Wayne.

This is light hearted gross out comedy at it’s lightest (and grossest?). There are plot holes big enough to fly a B-52 through but ultimately it doesn’t matter. Anyone who tries to take this movie seriously will be sorely disappointed but as a way to waste away a spare 90 minutes, this is perfect.

While the direction and script is spotty at times, the cast more than make up for it. Everyone hams it up for the camera and they all look like they were HAVING a great time. Amanda Peet, Steve Zahn and Jack Black chew the scenery as if it was their last meal and any movie featuring Neil Diamond playing himself as a pivotal character has got to have something going for it!

THE EXTRAS

Audio Commentary by Director Dennis Dugan: This is a dull commentary, unfortunately Dennis thinks he is a fair bit funnier than he actually yet spends much of the time apologising for a certain scene not being funny. More like a confessional to a movie studio than a commentary.

Outtakes: Footage showing various mistakes and alternate takes of existing scenes.

Filmographies: Bios on Director Dennis Dugan and stars Jason Biggs, Jack Black, Steve Zahn and Amanda Peet.

Trailers: Four trailers included for Evil Woman, Loser, Big Daddy and Cable Guy.

Easter Egg - Jack Black as the school mascot: Additional footage of Jack Black doing his crude routine as the school mascot. Very funny!

Easter Egg - Steve Zahn and the Racoon: Additional and behind the scenes footage of Steve Zahn performing the scene where he is attacked by the racoon.

CONCLUSION

A very dumb movie which is a hell of a lot of fun. Sloppy direction and a lacklustre soundtrack will not detract from it’s entertainment value.