Review of Syrup (2013) by Igor A — 28 Dec 2013

I love Max Barry. I've got all of his books. And he's not that prolific a writer - one reason being that he usually sells the movie right immediately and then fucks off to Hollywood for months upon months of "development hell" before it's apparent that nothing's happening with the film, then he flies back to Australia and begins with the next book.

[PARAGRAPH INDENT]Syrup was his first novel, and it's the first one he's managed to finally get to the big screen. Or, at least, a screen. It had a select cities release. Very unadvertised, despite the fact that it's a satire of marketing.

[PARAGRAPH INDENT]The book was hilarious. Superbly written. Over the top. Satirical. Loveable. The movie... I not sure what they were thinking with it.

[PARAGRAPH INDENT]There's a lot in the movie plucked straight from the book (6's lesbianism, the strip club scene...) yet it's under-explained that I think the average viewer might have no idea why any of this stuff is happening. But if it's meant at complimentary material for fans who've already read the book, they've failed in that regard.

[PARAGRAPH INDENT]I'm not a purist. I understand that certain changes must be made in an adaptation. If you're going to do away with the Hasbro-style movie storyline, okay; there's no need to do it in LA. New York works fine. Couldn't get Coca-Cola to sign on for the product placement? I understand; you change the name to Addy. Change @ to 3 and give Brittany Snow all of about ninety seconds of screen time? Fine.

[PARAGRAPH INDENT]But what was with the ending? Barry's ending, to be sure, was corny and rather happily-ever-after-esque, but he didn't get preachy and nihilistic about it. He didn't lay the burden on 6 as if capitalism is her fault.

[PARAGRAPH INDENT]And can we talk for a second about the inability to adapt satire. A staged funeral where the entire marketing team of the product that killed the deceased is present is a big bundle of whatthefuckery. If it's a pre-taped news interview, why would Zeph-co (or the news station, for that matter), allow this anti-marketing tirade and personal growth monologue to make it out the sound studio?

[PARAGRAPH INDENT]I'm sorry, Max Barry. I love your books, but this film was not a good one. Yes, Amber Heard can act, and the soliloquies worked, and even the voiceover, but there was too little expounded, too little respect for the source material, and it overall was not that enjoyable to watch. I hope your next one is better. I'm giving this three stars just for the success of the book.

[PARAGRAPH INDENT](But, Mr. Barry, you certainly chose the perfect cameo for yourself. All you have to do is stand there next to Amber Heard in her underwear, a scene which probably took a day and half to film. Kudos, sir.).