Let's Go to 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.

This movie captures and colorizes the satiric humor of prison and otherwise predictable jail humor in a way that is completely and thankfully watchable.

The story centers around three characters - Will Arnett is stuck in the center, utilizing his patentable 'that guys an a-hole but I'd still have a beer with him' persona and has it very well countered by two great actors whose subtle humor and physical timing really cuts out a sympathetic and f'n hilarious story that you don't want to end when it does. Which is saying a lot for this genre.

Of course there are ridiculous and improbable twists that you forgive because they are so damn fun. Nice touch on the epilogue and the ending credits.

It's good. It's better than good. It's not an art movie - it's not a fart movie - it's not even a combination. But if you've ever gone out of your way to watch Curb Your Enthusiasm, Arrested Development or Reno 911 you'll really enjoy it.

Beeyatch.

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"!

John Lyshitski (Dax Shepard) is a young guy who's spent most of his life in prison, blaming the judge who continuously sent him them, he hatches his plan for revenge. But he dies three days before he gets free of prison, so John decides to go after the judge's son, Nelson (Will Arnet of brilliant "Arrested Development" fame) John's plan is to frame Nelson, get him sent to jail, and then get himself sent to the same jail to bunk with him, which he accomplishes. But things don't always go as planned afterwords though.

Personally I found this film hilarious and don't really know why there's all this hatred towards it. Will Arnet is pretty funny and Dax Shepard plays off him quite well. But the REAL star of the film is Chi McBride as Barry, an eloquent rapist. Whenever he's on the screen it had me in stitches. The film's not as good as Mr. Show was (but hell what can be?) But director Bob Odenkirk still has a winner here.

My Grade: B+

There are movies that follow a relatively obvious plot. There are movies where you expect every plot twist ten minutes in advance. This certainly is one of those movies. But then, why would you go see a comedy looking for gripping plot lines? This is one of those movies that would have bombed, in the wrong hands. Given an average director and a mediocre cast, this movie would have been barely watchable. But under the care of Bob Odenkirk and a trio of skilled actors, it turns out as one of the funnier movies of the year.

Let me be clear about one thing: this movie is all about subtle, dry humor. The situations are, on their own, intentionally not funny. Played a different way, many of them would be downright terrifying. But the way the actors carry themselves through it, their timing, their facial expressions, bring out the absurdity of the serious script.

If you go into the movie expecting it to hit you in the face with everything it's got, you may be disappointed. But if you go prepared to pay attention and catch the nuances as well as the broad strokes, you'll barely stop laughing.