Carpool Guy

I kept watching the film hoping for something interesting to happen... it was filmed as though it thought it would be interesting, and then the scenes towards the end were presented as though they thought it was a great film and we would all be in love with the characters... my only regret about this film, is that I didn't stop it after the first 20 minutes, when it was painfully obvious that it was going to be a complete waste of time.

I laughed perhaps three or four times in the film, and it had a few reflective moments on the boredom of balancing home life with work and evil bosses... which perhaps kept me watching in hope.

But they could have made the film much better... it was just too boring for way too long, in the end I was hoping that they would all be killed in nasty ways and it would turn into a delayed horror movie.

And then when they finally try and do something with the story, it ends with them all sitting around congratulating themselves on their own utter blandness, which was when I realised I had been lulled into a trance by the total boredom, and in a desperate attempt to regain some self-respect I switched off and missed the last few minutes.

Anyway... save yourself now while you still can.

Hilarious send-up of the cut-throat world of advertising starring many of favorite soap actors. I was amazed that they made me forget their soap identities and drew me in to the story of the movie. Filled with amusing soap opera "in-jokes" and a witty, clever script, Carpool Guy is a great way to spend an afternoon. The story really takes you for a ride -- pun intended! Soap legend Anthony Geary plays the title role; Rick Hearst shines as a young ad exec trying to get ahead in his career and be happy in his personal life, too. Sean Kanan with his sly grin is perfectly cast as the close pal and fellow exec vying with Rick for the top spot in the firm. Corbin Bernsen as both director and co-star never takes a mis-step. This is a laugh ha ha out loud flick.

Soap operas have been popular for a good 70-80 years on T.V. and the radio. However, when it comes to their stature on the celebrity totem pole soap stars might very well be second to last; with only the Casting Central actors who appear in commercials with their dimples, moles, and all below them. Reality T.V. stars, porn actors, WWE wrestlers, and sports talk radio jocks are ahead of them. With their ludicrous story lines, goody-two shoes vs. villain battles, and the poor acting I have often wondered why people watch these maudlin T.V. shows in the afternoon. I guess it is because they are there, I suppose.

I have watched soaps in the past so I know what they are all about. It's just that there's better things to do in the afternoon when I'm not working. Still, plenty of bored, desperate housewives and college kids tune in for a good laugh...or to be put to sleep.

I got Carpool Guy for my Mom because she's a fan of the Young And The Restless and four of the actors are in the cast. She might recognize a few others because these actors jump from soap to soap, it seems.

The movie is about some executive who gets a homeless man to sit in his front seat so he can use the carpool lane to get to work faster. Obviously, movies about this aren't in high demand. David Paymer and Rod Steiger made a movie called Carpool ten years ago and it did little in the box office. This one has lower standards and it can't even meet them. It is pretty much an unrealistic film much like anything you'd see in a soap.

The acting here is absolutely brutal; typical of the genre, except for Anthony Geary. Geary, who plays the title character, is pretty hilarious. He has actual acting chops and comedic talent. He could have gone farther in Hollywood but he was pretty famous as one half of the Luke and Laura supercouple with Genie Francis and so didn't need to go up in the food chain. And yes, once again Lauralee Bell shows you why being Bill Bell's daughter was the only reason she has a job. 20 years on the Y&R and she still administers the same one-note emoting that David Caruso uses; only difference is that Caruso has real talent. I've seen better actresses in movies where the acting is secondary to something else.

Bottom line: If you love soaps you'll love this one but if you think soap operas are as legitimate as a WWE wrestling match then this won't change your mind.

Joel (Rick Hearst) has a great advertising job and a beautiful wife, Hope (Lauralee Bell). So, what's the problem? Its the Los Angeles traffic which makes Joel consistently late to work and late getting home. The head of his firm, Mrs. Lunsford (Jeanne Cooper) and her second-in-command son, Michael (Corbin Bernson) have been lenient on tardiness, for Joel is a valued employee. However, their patience is running thin. Then, too, some of Joel's ideas have been popping up at competing companies and the bosses are suspicious of Joel working against them. Also, Hope wants a child but things don't seem right for Joel at this time. One day, Joel spies two things. A homeless veteran holds a sign "will work for food" and the freeway has a sign announcing carpoolers can use the fast, fast lane. By making an agreement with the Vet (Anthony Geary), Joel can now make it to work and to home on time. But, is there someone still out to sabotage Joel's life? This mildly entertaining film, directed by Bernson, has an acceptable cast, script, etc. But, its nothing extraordinary. By far the best part is the fireworks between Bernson and Cooper, who are real life mother and son. Watching Cooper scream when things upset her and Bernson doing the same is entertaining. Also, Geary does good work while the real David Oreck of vacuum cleaner fame makes an appearance, too. If you come upon it at some late, late hour and you can't sleep, it can help you make it through the night.

This movie was GREAT from start to finish, I was laughing, it was a feel-good movie! I mean terrific! And I'm not just saying that because my favorite stars are in it. It is good! A job well done to Corbin especially, and the talented cast & crew! Ric Hearst made a great lead actor, putting a lot of depth & comedy into the character. Tony Geary was just great as "The Carpool Guy", if you can just picture Tony as a comedic bum. Also Lauralee Bell was wonderful as Ric's wife, and Kristoff St John added comedy with his "not-so-gay" character. Sean Kanan made an excellent partner for Ric's character. It just goes to show that soap stars can do anything just as good, if not better than anyone in Hollywood!