Ass Backwards

One of the few times I bothered to read reviews on a movie (loose term in this case) before I watched it, and how I regret it. As funny as having a tooth pulled, but I would like to say hello to the cast or crew members who came on here to write glowing reviews.

Sadly anyone who was not involved would disagree, while not as bad as Birdemic (One or Two) it's still bland, banal and unfunny, sadly I can't get the hour and twenty I wasted wondering if it actually gets better.

May I respectfully suggest, with the nice scenery, equipment, cast and crew available for this, next time put a little more effort into picking a good script.

A bit like Romy & Michelle meets Dumb & Dumber. I didn't mind it. They could have made more of it but it is what it is. It's more scratching your head laughing than laugh out loud funny. If you enjoyed Happy Endings you should love this. I did.

I'm not sure why films like "Dumb and Dumber," "I Love You, Man," or "The Hangover" find heaps of praise when a film that is just as goofy, just as over the top, and just as (intentionally), stupid as "Ass Backwards" Doesn't. It's just as funny, inventive, and all out ridiculous. I worry it might have something to do with the gender of the leads. For some reason, I think women aren't "allowed" by the mainstream to be as reckless as their male counterparts. Bridesmaids did it, yes, but I still think mainstream cinema has a long way to go.

Written by the two stars, June Diane Raphael and Casey Wilson, we follow the two ridiculously stupid and blissfully ignorant Kate and Chloe - two beauty pageant rejects who have never quite gotten over their loss. When a reunion event for the pageant that ruined their childhood pops up, the two see it as a redemption for their pasts. Part road trip movie, part farce, all buddy comedy "Ass Backwards" is a primal scream of comedy that seems to state "women can be stupid too." And that's all the film wants to do - make you laugh and have a great time doing it.

If you're a fan of films like "Dumb and Dumber", "MacGruber", or "Dude, Where's My Car?" Then "Ass Backwards" will be right up your alley. However this film succeeds where those others didn't - while the main characters here may be dumb, they've also got a lot of heart, and a friendship that's deeper than family.

Here's hoping Diane-Raphael & Wilson team up again - because "Ass Backwards" is an absolute riot that got lost in the constraints of a society unwilling to let women loose to do something these two do very well - make us laugh.

Whoever made this movie should have their hands fed into one of those old-school film projectors. I can guarantee that whatever mess it projects onto the silver screen would be less painful to watch than this abomination. Like I said in my summary, it's basically a remake of Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion -but without the jokes. Essentially, you have a road movie about two woman who haven't realized their best days are behind them, and are now on their way to reclaim their glory days and give "what for" to those who overlooked them when they were younger. It's kind of like a crappy Thelma & Louise. It's a pity it isn't more like it actually. At least in that film the characters die at the end -thereby sparing us any chance of a sequel. Sure they attempt jokes, but they aren't funny. It's almost like the writers were so stoned they convinced themselves they were writing jokes.

2/10

I must admit that I had initially expected just a bit more from this movie than what it turned out to be. So I can't really claim to have been overly impressed with the end result.

The story is about Kate (played by June Diane Raphael) and Chloe (played by Casey Wilson) who were competing in beauty pageants as young girls - and lost. Having grown up together, living together and doing everything together, the two women are side by side through thick and thin. They receive an invitation for a 50th anniversary beauty pageant in the town of Neptune. Getting there proves to be some ordeal for the two women.

That was basically the storyline wrapped up in a few lines. For a comedy, then "Ass Backwards" was really tame and you have to look far for the laughs. I think I laughed but one time throughout the entire movie, and that was when they were driving in their van and singing along to a scratched CD with the "take on me" song by A-HA. That was the highlight of the entire movie.

The jokes were non-existent, and there was just an all-through complete lack of comedy throughout the entire movie.

That being said, then I will say that the people in the movie were doing good jobs with their given roles, they just had next to nothing script-wise to work with. And the two lead actresses June Diane Raphael and Casey Wilson really carried the movie well and had great on-screen chemistry.

Perhaps I wasn't particularly in the target audience, as I am 38 years old and male, but still, this movie came and went without leaving any lasting impression at all, aside from two great performances by the lead actresses.