STRETCH

US, 2014, 94 minutes, Colour.
Patrick Wilson, Ed Helms, Chris Pine, James Badge Dale, Brooklyn Decker, Jessica Alba, Ray Liotta, David Hasselhoff, Norman Reedus.
Directed by Joe Carnahan.

The title, Stretch, could refer to the rather wild imagination and storytelling and character-creating of the writer-director, Joe Carnahan. It also refers to the cars used by a stretch-limousine company in Los Angeles.

Carnahan has shown his love of action with some-tongue-in cheek prowess in such films as Smoke and Aces and The A-Team?.

The story is told by Kevin, an aspiring actor who fails at auditions, changes his name, is an inveterate gambler a debt of $6000. In a car accident he encounters Candace (Brooklyn Decker) but she goes off with a sports champion instead of keeping her relationship with Kevin. Kevin is played by Patrick Wilson.

There are rivalries between the limousine companies in Los Angeles, especially with heavies from Eastern Europe. Kevin does a job for David Hasselhoff as himself – a rather nasty and domineering aspect of himself! He also does a job for Ray Liotta.

But the main action concerns an eccentric millionaire, money-laundering criminal who parachutes into Los Angeles in the form of an almost unrecognisable Chris Pine (who is uncredited). Kevin has to do a job for this eccentric, getting a briefcase of money within a set time. He succeeds, the contact is in fact an FBI agent which leads to a confrontation with the criminal, Kevin getting out of debt, having a blind date with a texter who turns out to be Charlie, the coordinator of the limousines from the company – Jessica Alba.

1. A bizarre action comedy? The work of the director? Action, black humour?

2. The Los Angeles settings, Hollywood, the hills, the streets, clubs, FBI investigations, the world of celebrities, stretch limousines and the coordination? A strange blend? The musical score, the songs of the period?

3. Kevin’s story? The voice-over? The ironic touches? The opening accident, the boy meets girl story, the encounter with Candace, the affair, her leaving him for the sportsman, later meeting her at the club, her attraction, his oneupmanship on her? Wanting to be an actor, the range of auditions, changing his name, not getting jobs? His being hired by the limousine company? The bosses, rivalries, potential takeovers? Eastern European toughs? Charlie at headquarters, the conversations with Kevin?

4. The range of jobs, the encounter with David Hasselhoff, Hasselhoff parody of himself but nasty? The encounter with Ray Liotta, Liotta’s screen personality, interaction with Kevin? The encounter with Norman Reedus?

5. Kevin and his debts, the standover tactics, the demands, his needing tips? Ray Liotta helping?

6. The rendezvous with Karos? Chris Pine and his eccentric presence and performance? Parachuting in, his face, beard, helmet, clothes, nudity? His way of speaking? His demands? Employing Kevin? The promise of the $6000? The eccentric discussions in the back of the limousine, punching his face and his sense of himself? The discussions about Firestarter, and the fire in the limousine? His tidying himself up? Going to the club? The women? Giving Kevin the commission to get the briefcase, the promise of the ledgers? His background as a money-laundering, high-class criminal, wanting to escape the country? Kevin to return, Karos breaking his word? Kevin is one up and ship? The FBI, his arrest, with the gun, Kevin thwarting him? And Kevin getting the ledgers?

7. Kevin, everything in the timing rather than fate, the friendship with Charlie? The text messages from Pink Minx? The timing for the job, the threats from the rival limousine company, from his boss? Stopping the power of the limousine? His going to the club, his bravado performance, with the boss, the confrontation, seizing the moment, controlling the space, getting the briefcase? Manny, valet, his driving away, Kevin running away? All the difficulties, the tow truck, the crashes, the drive? Getting to the club? Karos’ betrayal?

8. The irony of the FBI, the setup, the pursuit of Kevin, of Karos? The agent and his impersonation of the French gangster? He and his colleague discussing with Kevin? The money? His freedom? The message from Pink Minx, the same diner, it turning out to be Charlie?

9. The strange mixture of the comic and the serious?