Tom's Corner

In this installment, Tom reviews a Hollywood movie he doesn't think is pure crap. That film is "The Goods." Happy reading!

The Goods 2009 Neal Brennan, Dir.



This is gonna be a short one, so hold on to your butts and lets get going...

“The Goods” (starring the incomparable Jeremy Piven as Don “The Goods” Ready) is a simple “formula comedy.” Let me give you my definition to start the ball rolling. What you have is a basic story of a lead character, usually selfish and living a life of happy unconcerned slackerdom or excess (Hollywood say 'you be unmarried and childless past thirty, you bad person') who, through one (or several) new person(s) becoming part of their life, change into a better person themselves. Wacky sidekicks are a must, as are bets or contests to drive the plot along. It eventually becomes about “doing the right thing” instead of winning the bet or contest. Wacky sidekicks are so loyal and change with them so fast I'm surprised they don't slobber and hump their legs. Oh yeah, there are also other wacky supporting cast members, usually actors who look vaguely familiar. Want some examples? Ok, how about “Employee of the Month,” “National Lampoon's Van Wilder, ” “Run Fatboy Run,” and “PCU” which stars...Jeremy Piven.

All you need to know is that each character fulfills their role adequately. Kathryn Hahn is the one of the guy's girl, David Koechner is the most trusted and loyal of sidekicks, and Ving Rhames is...yeah, he's the black guy. Thanks Hollywood. Some bright spots include Charles Napier as the angriest car salesman around, Dick Lewiston, Tony Hale and Ken Jeong as their usual social misfit characters, and Craig Robinson as DeeJay Request. Craig Robinson ALWAYS makes me laugh, no matter what he does.

So, in short, should you see “The Goods?” Yeah, it's a funny way to kill an hour and a half. Will you remember it in a few weeks? Probably not.