Ass Backwards

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.

It sort of reminds me of Connie and Carla or For a Good Time Call... so if you like either of those gal pal movies you'll probably enjoy this one even if it is a little slapstick.

As other users have said, there's an obvious Romy & Michelle vibe (nothing wrong with that) - but where that film had heart, likable characters, and actual jokes, this one has absolutely none of that. The two main characters are abrasive, unlikable and interchangeable - their motivations and intelligence level seem to change from scene to scene. This is an almost Andy Kaufman-esque piece of anti-comedy - scenes drag on and on with awkward silences and nothing resembling jokes or even attempted jokes. I might have laughed once - it's an absolute chore to sit through.

I like Casey Wilson and June Diane Raphael in other projects, but after this and Bride Wars, they need to take a break from screen writing. This makes Orci-Kurtzman scripts look like Charlie Kaufman or Tarantino.

The only way this can be redeemed is if Raphael does an episode of "How Did This Get Made?" (the bad-movie discussion podcast she co-hosts) devoted to this movie. She's usually the most likable, level-headed person on the show, who seems to actually want to discuss the shortcomings of the movie instead of just crack easy jokes; any insight into how this movie went so, so wrong would be fascinating to listen to.

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.

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.