Review of Wanderlust (2012) by Charles G — 04 Aug 2012

(4 Stars) Wanderlust is an extremely funny film that's way more than its premise leads you to believe. George and Linda (Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston) are a likable couple who have fallen on hard times. These financial hardships are what a lot of Americans are going through right now, so they're easily identifiable. They shack up with a commune of hippies and weigh the pros and cons of the carefree life. I like how the hippies are portrayed as quirky and dim, but it's surprisingly believable why Rudd and Aniston want to stay with them. Much of the humor plays on your perceptions of these characters, which leads to some very funny setups and payoffs.

There are many parts I laughed out loud at; without giving away spoilers, there's a scene where Paul Rudd talks to himself in a mirror, a "Stella" news team, and a reenactment of a famous viral video about a cheating reporter at a vineyard (you'll know what I mean when you see it). I don't know if I've laughed harder at David Wain's Role Models or Wanderlust more. Both are very crude and vulgar movies but have heart that is needed for a memorable comedy.