The D Train

This film tells the story of a man who enthusiastically organises a high school reunion, but unfortunately is not very popular. He becomes fixated on getting the most popular guy in high school to attend the high school reunion, but one lie after another, things get out of hand.

"The D Train" has an ambiguous title, and does not prepare me for the emotional drama that lie ahead. On the comedy side, the film is quite funny as Jack Black has to cover one lie with a bigger lie. His boss being technology illiterate is also quite funny.

I am very impressed by the dramatic side of this film, because jealousy is a hard emotion to portray on screen. The manifestations of a jealous heart is plain and well portrayed in here, making me care for Jack Black's character and his wife as well. James Marsden is very charming as the guy who is able to make anyone fall for him. He makes the story believable. I really enjoyed "The D Train", which is quite unexpected.

...Which is odd, to say the least.

If you love film, you'll find something to take from this. If it's just simple entertainment you seek, best look elsewhere.

It's a puzzler - read some of the polarising reviews - in a way, it reminded me of Jim Carrey in 'The Cable Guy'; you don't get what you expect, and that can be a shock to some, and a boon to others.

Interestingly, and unexpectedly, I now think more of Jack Black - mayhap he just hasn't had the right vehicle to stretch his talents fully in, yet.

It's never going to make the pantheon, but it does have some things of merit; not least of which is the ability to make you cringe whilst not looking away. The how-can-it-possibly-be-resolved expectation is uncomfortably high.

I liked it; the discomfort, as it dawns on you, is tremendous and it walks its' line well - not subtle, but hey - I imagine the studio execs having a nightmare trying to decide how to market this. Whether it dawns on you, or slaps you in the face, will depend...

Once you've watched it, just think on that for a minute - because that vapid 'Tries to get reunion together' rubbish just doesn't cover it, does it?

Loved the soundtrack - especially the INXS lyricism - and some of the lines were priceless. (Lawnchairs)

I liked it. I feel the ending was rushed a little, but then, how else to cover bases?

I was a little surprised by this movie, because it had some layers that I didn't really expect. Now, I can't go into much detail about these layers, because I want to be totally spoiler free, but they are there.

The D Train is listed as a comedy, but I think it's more of a comedy/drama, because, like I said, it's not all silly fun. The comedy is often silly, it is Jack Black after all, but when it is serious, it is serious. I kind of felt for Jack Blacks character. He does some dumb stuff indeed, but he is also tossed into a couple of situations he doesn't know quite how to tackle. (here those aforementioned layers comes to play)

I don't laugh that easily, so when I watch a comedy I first and foremost want to be entertained, not laugh. And I was entertained by this movie. It did make me chuckle a couple times too, though.

I think part of the reason for this movies relatively low score (here on IMDb) is exactly that it is not a clean comedy, and definitely not a clean drama, it falls between two chairs, and maybe some are confused by that. We do love to define stuff, don't we? Us humanoids that is. Yes we do.

Anyway, it's an alright movie with some heart, some drama and some goofiness. Not your worst, not your best.

DrtBlvd a user here, has an interesting view on this movie and one personally think and can stand behind too. I hadn't read anything about this, neither had I seen the trailer. So I had no idea what this would be about. I actually thought based on the cover this would be something along the lines of "School of Rock". It couldn't be farther away if it tried (though I can't say for sure if it wasn't the intention anyway to be as far away from a comedy like that in the first place).

Jack Black has some of his usual shticks, but it's more than that. It has themes about self identity, about growing up and especially about being who you are and not seeking being someone you are not. In the end we are all heroes (in our own story). Maybe it takes a movie like this to realize it for some, maybe some find it redundant. Whatever the case, this is entertaining, but also raises some interesting thoughts and questions ... but yeah the ending was a bit rushed ...

3 and under are reserved for movies in which the acting is garbage. the acting in this movie is good.

the movie is the problem.

jack black has chops, but they're wasted in this movie. mr. marsden also sells it. the acting isn't what's wrong with this movie. what's wrong is: what? why did we, the audience, just watch this? it was everywhere, all over the place, and had no landing. it just sort of was.

in a few weeks someone will be talking to me about the movie about that guy at the reunion where he got buttf*cked, and i'll say: "Idunno man. Idunno what you're talking about." Then he'll mention Jack Black, and I'll say, "Oh, I think there was a Netflix thing that sucked where he was a salesman of some kind, and that dude from the transgender show who is really popular was his boss." we'll both agree that that's the movie we both saw, then we'll go back to our desks.

the end.

that's where this ends.