Bienvenue en prison

... but WHY do I feel guilty? Maybe it is because such terrible things go on behind bars - rape, gangs that dish out death based on race, bad food, corrupt guards, etc. and all of that is treated comically in this film. BUT, really nothing that you would expect given the set up of the film actually happens to the degree that it could, and in the end it turns out to have some very clever twists. It is just not all stupidity and it is very non-violent considering what could happen.

The setup is that a career non-violent criminal, John Lyshitski (Dax Shepard) is constantly getting caught and sent to prison by Judge Nelson Biedermann. But Lyshitski blames all of his incarcerations on the judge, not on his own bad choices, and he spends so much time in prison he knows everybody by name. So John decides to carry out a plan of revenge on the judge, except the judge dies right before he gets out of jail. So John changes his plan to avenge himself on the dead judge's son, Nelson Biedermann IV, by tampering with his inhaler and making him temporarily high. In this state Ned trashes a store and attacks the store owners, all caught on the store security camera. Did I mention that Ned IV is an insufferable preppy jerk? So Ned demands that the Biedermann foundation help get him out, BUT the foundation decides they would like to be rid of this stupid jerk and defend him themselves and throw the case. Ned goes to prison for 3-5 years.

Meanwhile, John is not feeling the glee he thought he would at Ned going to prison. After all, he figures, he won't be there to see Ned get what is certainly going to be coming to a soft preppy rich kid with no street smarts. So this time, John gets caught on purpose, gets sent to prison for 3-5 just like Ned, and manages his prison connections so he is Ned's cellmate. At first things go like you think they would, but then a twist of fate for both Ned and John change things in a way that was inconceivable to John when he started this whole thing. From there you will have to watch yourself and find out what happens. If you have a distaste for violence, don't worry, this is not Shawshank Redemption on any possible level.

Oh, and kudos to Chi McBride who becomes the unlikely means for Ned to give the foundation that dumped him their comeuppance. This film is probably a 6.5 as a comedy, but I rounded it up to 7 for originality, especially during the last half.

Why all the negative reviews?? Hard to believe soo many of you have bashed this movie. I understand that not all people like this style of a movie. Kinda like Walk Hard - The Dewey Cox story. I loved both.

Being a person who enjoys the bluntness of people like George Carlin I must say this movie is in your face funny! If you expect to see some teenage dukes of Hazzard style film then don't bother. This movie is for people who like adult style laugh your butt off fun. I watch South Park religiously and this is the one movie that makes me laugh the same.

Don't miss all the one liners!! "Trust me - Do what I do - Keep your mouth shut and try not to cry"!

Hilarious offbeat comedy. I say "offbeat" since the main love interest is a large black man named Barry, who will woo you like you've never been woo-ed before. This is not your normal Hollywood comedy, it's got more of an "Arrested Development" feel - a funny script and Bob Odenkirk's direction (and supporting player role) make this work. Basically, this film takes every men's prison cliché and pushes it ten times further. If you've ever wanted to just stay in and drink toilet wine with a loved one, then this film should resonate with you. This is destined to end up a cult movie since it's not exactly mainstream humor, but if you're a fan of Odenkirk and David Cross's "Mr. Show," you'll find a lot here to enjoy - and you'll also find the very tall Brian Posner standing in a crowd scene near the end.

Hilarious, just simply hilarious. Let's go to prison gives out the funny about prison life. Even though prison life is a very serious manner, just watching this movie will leave you in stitches. Here you have a well-respected lawyer who comes from a family of arbiters of the law. On the other side, there's a born trouble-maker who dealt with his father in the past, when he died, he went for his son. So when this gallant troublemaker gets to be his bunkmate in prison. There he meets some characters who gives him some tips on who to trust and who to avoid. One of the prisoners who happens to be called the "Barry White" of the cell-block, takes high interest in him. The prison love can make you lose you dignity, but the toilet wine tops it all. So instead of having the biggest riot that could cause a breakout, they create a death that makes a breakout. Now why would a high class man would like Tecnotronic's "Move This"? Guess every guy's got his own vices. This movie is a lot of fun, and a lot of laughs to go by. Watch this! 3 out of 5 stars.

It's rare I comment on a Film because most films in my view are average - but this film is very funny and very well played and believable - I didn't see it coming - but maybe I was just being too entertained by it all - I particularly enjoyed the visual comedy of this film facial expressions were so perfect I almost wet myself on several occasions from start to finish this film entertained and made me laugh - even the closing titles where the three main characters were in the people carrier being entertained by the CD Player !! hehehe - just thinking about it makes me almost cry laughing again - so don't be put off by the poor rating so far - don't worry that there aren't such well known actors - do enjoy this well constructed, very funny film