Review of Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star (2011) by Dismas N — 19 Jan 2012

I had to see how bad it actually was. The thing is, I actually enjoy most of Sandler's buddies work. Yea, "Grandma's Boy" wasn't that great but after repeat viewings it would grow on you.

Sadly, I don't even think I will give "Bucky Larson" the opportunity of repeat viewings. I mean, I think Nick Swardson is a funny guy. I own both of his stand up albums and could put them on repeat, but this just isn't the kind of star vehicle he needs to be heading up.

Instead of going for slapstick silliness here the second string Sandler's go for the R-rated raunch that dominates but the difference between this and "Bridesmaids" is that the latter has a wit to it, real sense, realistic characters and relatable situations.

"Bucky Larson" is all teeth and no substance. Though Swardson does his best and there are admittedly a few scenes and lines that Swardson delivers with an earnest midwestern accent that had me laughing, this does not make up for the rest of the film.

Why is Christina Ricci here and who came up with her downright stupid story line? There almost seems no hope for the film at all but then Kevin Nealon redeems hope every few minutes by popping up and yelling cuss words and Don Johnson gives a rather absurd performance as a porn director.

Stephen Dorff makes a career misstep here and this shows just how low Pauly Shore has sunk. The real disappointment here though, at least for me, is that Swardson landed a stinker. He did supporting work in "30 Minutes or Less" that showed good chemistry with the likes of comic actors such as Danny McBride despite that film also lacking the zing it should have had.

Those are the tyope of folks he needs to be working with though, expanding his circle rather than regrouping with Sandler and his usual gang who just seem to hang out and make up junk like this on the spot.

It may seem like a good idea at the time but I'm sure even Sandler himself (who co-wrote the script) will look back and realize what a stupid idea this was.