Going Greek

Let's get this straight up front: "Going Greek" does not deviate from the college-sex-party genre first established by "Animal House." Nor does it rise about fare like "Old School" or "American Pie." However, without the benefit of marquee names, "Going Greek" unearths a gem that is seldom found in most of the dredge released these days by National Lampoon: comedy. "Going Greek" is genuinely funny, with a fantastic no-name cast and terrific story to boot. If anything, the film is more akin to "PCU," another cult college film made way before Jeremy Piven joined an "Entourage" and John Favreau launched "Zathura."

And who knows? Maybe wider audiences will someday know the names Dylan Bruno and Dublin James.

Check it out.

Does this movie take itself seriously? Meaning, seriously as a comedy targeted on young audience? While I know the (self imposed) limitations of American campus comedy and know what to expect from such a movie, I must say, that only a few moments were worth a laugh (and I can take even cheesy or perverse jokes).

The point is, that many moments probably were meant to be laughed on, but in the same time they were pretty sad... Sad in a way, that the movie, without its end (that I don't want to reveal for those who might want to watch this movie "seriously" as it is) could be pretty illustrative sociological study of the American youth, or even of the birth of many specific pathological features of the American society.

Bearing all the possible inhumane hazing, torture, ridiculous rituals, laws of the mass, do-what-group-does mentality, declaring machismo and pure male chauvinism as "tradition", or self-destructive alcoholism as "culture" ... for what? "Being part of"? "Helping friend being part of"? The motivation of characters is not very believable - considering the amount of dignity they are willing to sacrifice, with absurd indifference.

With all this said, the movie might be pretty good serious study of the college fraternity mentality system - evoking the despair from any well-known tragedies, invoking lot's of anger in viewer. But in this sense, it lacks something like catharsis. One can see, how genre framing can deform our view of certain situations. We try to laugh on what is really a matter of anger and sadness.

Thus, one has a feeling, that all this inhumanity is just fun, part of wonderful students life, something to be consumed and laughed on ... and forgotten. As this movie should be.

Don't let the fact that Going Greek lacks a theatrical release fool you. It is awesomely funny from beginning to end, and especially great for anyone who's ever been to college. Before I continue my review however, I should note that I have a potential bias toward the film. I am in the film as a volunteer "extra" (one of the frat brothers). But I say potential bias, because I was a huge fan of the movie before most of the shooting ever took place. Before doing any work on the film, myself and a group of others were reading Going Greek and we couldn't help laughing convulsively as a huddled mass around the one script we obtained. The movie is truly hysterically funny, so I hope you understand that I write this review as a true fan of the work. Honestly, I feel that the fact it did not get wide theatrical distribution, truly bespeaks the straight forward aggressiveness of its antics and humor. It does not hold back its humor in any self-depricating attempt to "appeal" to the masses. This movie is straight up for those who have wanted a good college film with great laughs. Going Greek's first "cut" and its screenings had great responses and I know that if you ever enjoyed watching Animal House, Revenge of the Nerds, and American Pie, you will truly enjoy this film and put your copy of Going Greek right next to them on your shelf. I can't wait to get my copy and finally be able to share its genius with my friends and especially my old college buddies. Enjoy!

Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life son.--Dean Wormer, "Animal House".

Movies like "Going Greek" show how really, really difficult it is to make another film as good and inspired as "Animal House".

First, you need to have a good script. This doesn't.

Then you need to have a funny cast. This doesn't.

Then add in an inspired director who can find and enhance the comedy. Justin Zackhan ain't it.

Maybe if the people watching this film are as trite, loud, drunk and stupid as the characters in it, they might find this film amusing, but I doubt it. I found "Going Greek" to be a sad, formulaic waste of time.

Brutal. I will probably never get those 90 minutes back. How could a movie with Claire Forlani and Susan Ward be so hard to watch. Poor Oliver...I hope his sister is still ragging on him for that poor career decision. This movie is on my top 3 for "worst movies ever." Thanks. So if you don't mind, I'm going to go have 2 beers and write a movie. Probably funnier than this one.