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| I Heart Huckabees (2004)
 
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Jason Schwartzman, Jude Law, Naomi Watts, Lily Tomlin, Donnie Wahlberg Director: David O. Russell Rating: R Category: Comedy  |
The film follows the lives of four different individuals, all of whom have recently sought help from the Jaffes, a husband-wife team of existential detectives (Dustin Hoffman and Lily Tomlin), and their protégé rival Caterine Vauban (Isabelle Hupert). The detectives, who advertise their ability to deconstruct a person’s problems through a number of philosophical devices, spend their days spying on their clients' every move (yes, even in the bathroom) and digging through the garbage in an attempt to sort out their lives.
Their newest client is Albert Markovski (“Rushmore” star and ex-Phantom Planet rocker, Jason Schwartzman), an environmental activist working for the Open Spaces organization who is exiled from his group when Huckabees sales manager Brad Stand (Jude Law) takes over the coalition with promises of a PR-heavy event starring the one and only Shania Twain. Interested in Albert’s involvement with the detectives, Brad also enlists their help along with his live-in girlfriend, Dawn Campbell (Naomi Watts), the spokesmodel for the Wal-Mart-like Huckabees. After an uncomfortable meeting between Albert and Brad in the Jaffes' office, the detectives decide to pair Albert with another client for emotional support, Tommy Corn (Mark Wahlberg), a petroleum-hating firefighter who rides his bike to every fire instead of riding in the fuel-guzzling truck.
The character acting in “I Heart Huckabees” is sensational, with film veterans like Tomlin and Hoffman taking on unique roles as the theoretical duo, and Schwartzman and Law battling it out as polar-opposites, but it's Wahlberg’s portrayal of the eccentric and angry Tommy Corn that steals the show. Donning a just-out-of-bed hairstyle and a pair of fireman boots, Wahlberg delivers a stream of ever-changing emotions that you can’t help wanting more of. Watching these four characters’ recurring cycle of ruin and rebirth is both comically enjoyable and philosophically intriguing. The film is an acquired taste that most audiences just won’t get, but I’m so relieved that Russell finally decided to make this film. After a five-year hiatus following the critical success of his Gulf War heist tale “Three Kings,” Russell has supplied the thinking moviegoer with an intelligent film that will have your mind going in so many directions you might just need to see it again, or you might just want to.
DVD Review:
Despite the mixed response that the film received during its short run in theaters, "I Heart Huckabees" has been given a refreshing DVD treatment that should please most fans. Presented in both a single-disc and two-disc special edition release, the different DVDs are triggered towards two separate groups of fans: those who liked the film and those who loved the film. For the prior group, Fox has released the single-disc version of the film that incorporates both full-screen and widescreen video transfers of the movie, as well as two full-length audio commentaries with cast and crew. The first commentary (recorded by director David O. Russell) discusses the many philosophies and inspirations that went into creating the story and casting the film. The second commentary features Russell again, but this time he is joined by stars Schwartzman, Wahlberg and Watts in a very similar discussion that intends to help unravel the mystery behind the meaning of the film. The second track fares much better too because it offers more than one voice (and thus more than one mind) tackling the many eccentricities of the project.
For those of us who have listed ourselves in the latter description, 20th Century Fox and David O. Russell have teamed up together to dig up hours of supplemental material for the second disc of the special edition. The first disc of the set is an exact replica of the single-disc release, right down to the DVD cover art - or lack thereof. The rest of the special features make up what is one of the best DVD releases of the year and is headed by a 34-minute production featurette that follows the cast through the making-of the film through various interviews, candid sessions and scripted outtakes. Following the documentary is an episode of "The Charlie Rose Show" with guests Russell, Hoffman and Tomlin answering questions regarding the origin of the project. Also included on the disc are five outtakes and 22 deleted/extended scenes that make up over 50 minutes of never-before-seen material. All of these extras are great additions to the DVD and should have been included on the single-disc version, but the bonus material that follows is definitely geared towards the hardcore fans of Russell and his film.
The rest of disc two includes a video montage of outtakes entitled "Miscellaneous Things People Did," crew profiles, Open Spaces PSAs, Huckabees commercials, a composer feature on Jon Brion, a photo montage and an infomercial on existential detectives. Finishing off the second disc are two trailers for the film, a soundtrack promo and the "Knock Yourself Out" music video with optional commentary by David O. Russell. With its incredibly expensive list price aside ($29.99 for a brand new DVD seems a bit much) the "I Heart Huckabees" two-disc special edition is the kind of comprehensive treatment that most moviegoers could only wish for on their favorite film, but unless you've become unhealthily addicted to Russell's fabulous existential comedy, pick up the single-disc release and save yourself fifteen bucks.
~Jason Zingale
jzingale@bullz-eye.com