HOT ROD

US, 2007, 88 minutes, Colour.
Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone,, Bill Hader, Danny Mc Bride, Isla Fisher, Sissy Spacek, Ian Mc Shane, Will Arnett, Chris Parnell.
Directed by Akiva Schaffer.

This is one of those very broad American comedies, love it or loathe it, clever or stupid.

The main actors and the director were for years involved in writing and acting for Saturday Night Live. And it is produced by Lorne Michaels, the producer of Saturday Night Live.

It might be said that this story is in the Dumb and dumber vein, (dumber or dumberer). Some of the cast specialise in creating dumb comic characters on screen, Andy Samberg, Bill Hader, Danny McBride?, Will Arnett. The performances here will depend on audience liking for the actors, enjoying their comedy – or not.

In terms of cast, it is something of a surprise to see Sissy Spacek and Ian Mc Shane in the cast. Isla Fisher has been in a number of comedies (and is married to Sacha Baron Cohen).

Andy Samberg clowns and mugs as Rod Kimble, devoted to his mother, Sissy Spacek, antagonistic to his stepfather, Ian Mc Shane, who continually baits him and mocks him out would seem in physical fights. But, his stepfather needs a transplant. Rod then narrates the memory of his father who was a stuntman, photographed with Evel Knievel. Rod wants to be in that tradition, tries all kinds of stunts – absolute failure. But it is supported by his loyal but dumb friends. Isla Fisher portrays his past girlfriend but is now taken up with the superior-smug Will Arnett.

The plan is for Rod to raise the money for the transplant and to do a daring stunt, riding his bike over 15 buses side-by-side. One moment we think you might succeed but, of course, he makes a mess of it but gets up to the acclaim of the onlookers and the local media who applaud him and raise the required money.

All ends well – with Rod and his stepfather still battling it out.

Something of an acquired taste – which many will not want to acquire.