Get a Job

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Michigan-- I came across this very funny movie while reading a review in the Clare County Recorder. As I was enjoying the serenity of Northern Mid-Michigan and a cup of Irish coffee at the famous Doherty Hotel, I became intrigued by GET A JOB the movie. The first eye-opener, was noticing all the star-power in GET A JOB. Yes, I was impressed.

The leads, Willie K, and Eric Gilliom deserve a sequel. The film was well received in their Film Festival run, including getting a top honor at the Las Vegas International Film Festival. Most importantly, I came across some of their previous music and I was sold. Willie K and Eric Gilliom are veterans on the Pacific entertainment circuit. They also have had some award winning CD's as the BAREFOOT NATIVES. The movie journey has William (Willie K), an employment agent, who is trying to save his own job. He can do it if he finds a job for the stumble-bum Merton (Gilliom). Watch for the Japanese granny scene mid-movie, the sequence steals the show.

How did writer/director Brian Kohne pull all this all together? I do not know but I sure enjoyed the ride. The movie entertained thoroughly. The team of Willie K and Gilliom reminded me of 'Lewis and Martin'. The Maui musical entertainers were as spectacular as a Hawaiian sunset. The movie camera lens showed an underground Hawaii and sustained the laughs throughout.

The goat scenes and 'Goat Wrestling' championships had me howling. Maui is sure more than beaches, sunrises and umbrella drinks. The movie showcased how regular folks have to make a living.

I noticed also in the trades that GET A JOB has received a nomination for a 2013 Na Hoku Hanohano award (Hawaiian Grammy) for the movie soundtrack. Another featured artist in the movie, Amy Hanaiali'i, and world renowned ukulele player, Jake Shimabukuro, also got nominations. Augie T, added some comedic support in the film. I was even more surprised when Mick Fleetwood opened the finale wedding band scene pounding percussions. The cameos by Willie Nelson and Pat Simmons were an added bonus. I knew of Carolyn Omine's fame from the Simpsons on FOX-TV. What a thrill to see some girl-power. Again, the movie screams sequel and the soundtrack gets raves.

The GET A JOB musical soundtrack was so compelling; I went to the movie website and bought the DVD and CD. It was cheaper than a Hawaiian vacation and I can enjoy the experience over and over.

Get A Job is the story of Willie, a staffing agent striving for a promotion at his firm's bigger parent company. His world gets turned upside down upon meeting the island eccentric, Merton. Willie is now tasked with finding Merton a job, which is not as easy as it seems.

This film is Hawaii. From the scenery to clothing to pattern of speech, Get A Job stays true to its Hawaiian roots. It is all too easy to veer in the realm of being stereotypical, but this film stays true Hawaii; keeping the casting and crew Hawaiian was an asset. The film easily captures the spirit of the islands, bright and colorful. Each element is reflected in a different character in the film.

Being shot in such a beautiful location, the cinematography did the scenery justice. The camera footage is sharp and well lit, overall pleasing to the eye. There are a few issues with exposure when coming from an interior scene to an exterior scene; the doors and windows tend to be blown out. The audio quality is spot on, and the mix of dialog with score is excellent. The score chosen for this film is a character of its own, never detracting attention from the scene, only adding in more Hawaii atmosphere.

What was most impressive about this film was the opening. The beginning sequence provides such a sense of the two main characters without dialog. It is excellent storytelling when you can get into a character without them even speaking. Merton merited a little more explanation. As he is such an eccentric, the audience is wondering if there's something wrong with him mentally or if he's really just a kook. Some clarification on the matter would have helped the audience understand his character better.

The pacing of this film was off. The beginning flows wonderfully, but then it hits a brick wall and slows down. Varying the shot size, throwing in more details or close ups, would help break up the medium shots, giving the film sense of more motion. The motion shots that were used in this film, like sequences in the car or on the bike, were great. As an audience, more of those type of shots are desired.

A big issue as an audience member is the main issue of the film is introduced far too late in the film. The Hawaii versus Them motif surfaces near the end of the film. If this was introduced right off the bat, it would give the film more punch and much more direction. Too, there are too many stories in this film. There's Laura and her plight to get married. Narrowing down the number of story lines or really highlighting one would help the audience understand the heart of the film and not feel so lost. Many of the story lines, for example Willie and Laura, are not given enough time to develop as there are too many competing characters. As an audience member, it's hard to get a sense of their relationship as there is not enough time paid to the reactions of Willie missing her family reunion or even how they are as a couple. It makes the end wedding feel rushed and awkward.

Merton and Willie's relationship too falls into the same pattern as Willie and Laura's. The audience doesn't see Merton change Willie until the near end of the film. Little things should be changing throughout the duration of the film. Laura could comment on it, there are many ways to tie all of it together. The characters feel like they exist on their own, not like they are in relation to each other at all. Defining these relationships more would not only tie the characters together, but it will help the story surface better.

This film on the whole does a great job of showing, like the opening sequence, rather than telling what's going on in the film. There were a few points that were confusing. How and when did Willie get arrested? How did Merton get Willie's job? Showing these sequences would clear up so many confusing plot points.

This was a quirky, "buddy" movie all rolled up into one entertaining package. Brian Kohne created and directed 2 memorable characters; Merton and William/Willie. The play between the two was pure entertainment. Merton has to be one of the oddest, most endearing characters I have seen in a long time while William is so sincere, sweet, and lovable. The chemistry between the two was captured splendidly. The supporting cast added to the overall quirkiness of the film. Some of the humor seemed regional, but that did not detract from the overall humor of the film. The theme of "get a job" is universal and the movie definitely made me aware that some unusual folks might be trying to "get a job" and that someone will have to help them. This created much of the fun in this movie. The romance subplot between Laura and William did not hold up to romance between Merton and William. One thing that I did not understand was the intentions or motive for the behavior of Laura's co-worker in arranging the "wedding." The photography was beautiful- I thoroughly enjoyed the backdrop of Hawaii for much of the film. The music throughout the film made me think of Hawaii and truly added to the events/actions occurring at the time of the individual songs. I especially loved the songs from the Barefoot Natives. Cameos by Mick Fleetwood and Willie Nelson further endeared this film to me. The movie runs along at a nice pace-it didn't feel too long, but some scenes dragged a bit, especially if they didn't include William and Merton together or just Merton. Overall, a silly, fun romp through Hawaii with 2 memorable and heart-warming characters.

This is one I can watch over and over, and laugh, out loud, every time. I love to share it with friends for that reason.

Why? Unlike some so-called "regional" films that only tickle funny bones locally, "Get A Job" uses an island voice to tell a universal story about work, play and love. Yes, you will laugh more if you're from Hawaii, if you've been to Hawaii, if you like mangoes, love Hawaiian music or have ever heard of Willie K, Eric Gilliom or Jake Shimabukuro. And, yes, the film delivers even without those connections.

Willie K is "William," the employment recruiter walking in two worlds. He wears a wild 'Fro with his noose of a suit and tie; he's got a meditation fountain on his desk, a guitar in the closet, a wheezing old car, and a girlfriend who wants to get married.

"Merton," played by Eric Gilliom, is the clueless surfer who goes with whatever, waiting for the big wave or cruising around the neighborhood. When a random encounter with a bicycle, a mango and a traffic jam bring the two together, William makes it his mission to help Merton get a job.

Hilarity ensues, of course. But what is more interesting, and important, is how Maui filmmaker Brian Kohne manages to bring the story to the screen with such affection and insight. By using, rather deploying, some of Hawaii's best-known entertainers like musicians Willie K, Gilliom, Henry Kapono, Amy Hanaiali'i, Augie T (as a motorcycle cop) and Jake Shimabukuro (as a Japanese tour bus guide), Kohne makes Hawaii folks feel like we're in the company of friends.

For other folks, there isn't a neighborhood in the country that doesn't have a William and a Merton - and all the others who think they know what's what and what's best for them. Their journey might play out in the snow instead of surf, or on the streets instead of sugar cane fields, but we know these characters because they are us, and we are healed by laughing at ourselves, our missteps and our funky successes in whatever form they take.

Plus it's got a killer soundtrack.

Hilarious. Yes. Belly-laughing hilarious! Yeah, and some parts are crude and in bad taste, but the rest of it is so funny, I forgave those parts. Willie K was really impressive in his role...a natural...he's just a brilliantly good entertainer. He's left me in tears with his arias only to follow one up with dueling banjos and Your Cheatin' Heart...so this was a totally different experience of him. Way to go Willie!

Loved the local dialect, as well as the sophisticated themes of the human condition...vices and virtues. Definitely fun.

It is particularly good fun for the cameos of local musicians, including Jake Shimabukuro, Mick Fleetwood, Willie Nelson et. al. And of course, the scenes of Maui, from Wailuku to Kula to Lahaina.

I loved this movie! It was a laugh out loud adventure. The characters reminded me of the 3 Stooges. If you want to have fun and laugh your butt off, get this movie! It's a classic comedy where you fall in love with the characters, and want more. The movie is filmed on beautiful Oahu in Hawaii, but it could be any where in the world because we all know a friend or relative with similar issues with employment. I loved the local music especially Jake Shimabukuri who is one of my favorite ukulele musicians. The morning after I watched the film I found myself laughing out loud about some of the funniest scenes, it put a real smile on my face. I would recommend this film to anyone that has had a hard day at work and wants to rid themselves of a stressful day, it will transport you to the island and to a wacky world.