Strangers with Candy

This movie had very funny moments and the whole idea of a life first suspended -- for thirty-two years -- and then resumed exactly where it was left off promises great exhilaration. The plot is simple but cleverly executed with straightforward wit and healthy irony at the expense of much 'high-school' culture examined in a provocative way to repeat what many know (that racism is perniciously persistent in American education) but seldom face. Though far different in scope and much more ambitious, Crash comes to my mind as a term of comparison for the racism issue, but Strangers with Candy is neither as subtle nor as successful as Crash in making the audience confront their own denial about what racism is and how it manifests itself. Strangers with Candy is a truly funny movie with a somewhat serious message that never spoils the fun. I admit that in some moments I felt uncomfortable with the behaviors of some of the characters in relation to race; yet I do recognize that this is just a movie and reality is a lot uglier than any fantasy. But viewers should resist the notion that the movie is merely supposed to be funny. The plot and the purposefully unsubtle dialog inevitably should make one think of race and racism. I hope viewers will recognize that.

This was a pretty wacky movie - very unusual and unlike anything I've seen before.

This movie has fairly basic plot: a recently released 40+ year old lady wants to help bring her father out of a coma, so she embarks on the task of bettering herself by going back to high school and excelling. If it doesn't make sense, that's OK - it's nothing compared to the characters.

What makes this movie so unusual are the characters - the lead character (Amy Sedaris), the principal, the parents, etc. They are so strangely conceived and acted that it's really wild to watch. I guess that means that the actors and director did a pretty good job.

I can't say this movie was funny. Rather, it was amusing because of the extreme nature of characters. It was interesting to watch just to see what they were going to say next.

If you're in the mood for something really strange - check this out. You'll know after the first 10 minutes if this is something that's going to interest you.

I saw the Strangers With Candy movie yesterday at a free screening. I'm a huge fan of the show (I own all 3 seasons on DVD) and I couldn't believe my luck at having been given a pass. For the most part, t.v. shows don't translate well on the big screen and it pains me to say that Strangers with Candy the movie is no exception to this rule.

Basically, the film is a re-hashing of the same gags and jokes true fans know and love (and will unmistakably remember) from the t.v. show. This lame regurgitation simply didn't work, and it was evident through the acting that the actors themselves felt uncomfortable reciting the same material.

A side note: At the risk of sound like a total obsessive nerd and the equivalent of SWC "trekkie"....why the hell did they change Derrick??? and the Flatpoint campus (not to mention its new location directly across from the Blank residence!) And this Megawatti person is such a lame substitution for Orlando!

This is not to say that the film didn't have it's funny moments--it did have it's fair share. The opening prison montage was especially funny and memorable. Stephen Colbert was hilarious in every scene, and Amy delivered as usual.

Sweetheart Amy Sedaris plays appropriately named, Jerri Blank in the off the wall comedy about a 46 year old ex-drug addict, prostitute and loser who goes back to high school. She appears almost retarded but she is everything but. The Comedy Central series from 1999-2001 named the same title, was 30 episodes of the same genre. She offers crude, down right shocking remarks that you have to laugh about. She is passive bisexual and lude and lacks all graces of the typical middle aged female. Amy Sedaris is hilarious and her off the chart behavior in this movie should get your mind off any problems. If you are expecting a truly down to earth teen age comedy, you will be disappointed as it is everything but. It violates sensitive politically correct subjects from race to sex preferences to gross references to drug and sex addiction in a very comical way that you just can't find offensive. Stand back and take a different perspective when watching this movie and don't take it so seriously and you will enjoy it greatly. She is truly a talented comedian. Everyone has to love Amy Sedaris. Loves Amy Sedaris.

The show Strangers With Candy was a dark and a comical slice of viewing, where Jerri, a 46 year old ex drug addict, released from prison returns to high school to re start her life. Now with the show finished, Strangers With Candy returns to Jerri's first day of school. Her father currently in a coma, Jerri thinks if she does well at school, joining the science project team, he will awaken from his slumber.

The movie Strangers With Candy is basically made for the fans of the show. Writers and actors of the show; Amy Sedaris, Stephen Colbert and Paul Dinello, retain the same strange and unique style of comedy that made the show such a stand out. Jerri's constant sexual appetite, Chuck and Geoffrey's sexual tension and commitment problems. Strangers With Candy works as well as it does with the main cast members returning into their roles; minus Larc Spies who played Derrick in the show, Joseph Cross taking his place here.

There is a rocky start to the film. Jokes aren't that strong, they're few and apart and lack the bite. Sedaris, Dinello and Colbert seemed to cautious stretching what basically could have been a thirty minute episode to feature length. After a few light steps, once Jerri returns to the school setting, they settle back into their comfort zone, letting the subversive comedy crawl out, and the randomness of the show.

While the original cast return and know their parts exceedingly well, Sedaris mixes disgusting habits and empathy in Jerri. Greg Hollimon self centered Principal Blackman and Deborah Rush disheartening Sara Blank. Paul Dinello as Geofrrey with his child mentality, steals every scene with Stephen Colbert as science teacher Chuck. Colbert is the most impressive of the entire cast. But this also boast one very strong cast of cameos; Philip Seymour Hoffman, Allison Janney, Justin Theroux, Matthew Broderick, Ian Holm, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kristen Johnston are amazing and take their roles head on with a serious attitude. Philip Seymour Hoffman is nicely pathetic as member of the staff board, and Justin Theroux eccentric shot as the driving instructor.

While Stangers With Candy is just a notch short of the show, it is compulsive viewing for any fan.