A spelling bee loser sets out to exact revenge by finding a loophole and attempting to win as an adult.A spelling bee loser sets out to exact revenge by finding a loophole and attempting to win as an adult.A spelling bee loser sets out to exact revenge by finding a loophole and attempting to win as an adult.
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- 2 wins & 4 nominations total
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Featured reviews
This is indeed racist and it's also misogynistic. Does this mean that a movie with those qualities can't be funny? The movie knows it's racist and (wow this word is overused lately) misogynistic . It's also extremely funny. If you know you can't see past certain things like that then I suggest you don't watch this movie. It's mean and and very crude and hilarious.
I was actually ashamed that I laughed at some of the jokes as I consider myself to be a good person but they are so shamelessly delivered by Bateman I just couldn't help myself. Young Rohan Chand was very likable and held his own with Bateman who knows first hand about what it takes to be a child actor. Turn off your media forced judgment and just enjoy the movie. Even assholes can be funny.
I was actually ashamed that I laughed at some of the jokes as I consider myself to be a good person but they are so shamelessly delivered by Bateman I just couldn't help myself. Young Rohan Chand was very likable and held his own with Bateman who knows first hand about what it takes to be a child actor. Turn off your media forced judgment and just enjoy the movie. Even assholes can be funny.
Another comedy movie like "A Million days to die in the west" this year where the trailer made it out to be extremely funny but the movie itself was clearly not. Hopefully in this case, the movie itself was pretty good.
Directed and Acted by Jason Bateman, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it was more of a feel-good drama film instead of a comedy. There are some hilarious moments in it here and there, the movie can be offensive and abusive but hey, its name is "Bad words" so you kinda expect such things in it.
I love Jason Bateman, he is a great actor. And damn he can be one hell of a DICK, like in this movie. He is portraying a character who is ruining spelling bee contests and can't be prosecuted because of a loop hole in the rules. Kind of a unique premise, especially as far as comedies go.
Anyway, it is a decent feel-good comedy film. Worth a try, especially if you're a fan of Jason Bateman.
7.2/10
Directed and Acted by Jason Bateman, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it was more of a feel-good drama film instead of a comedy. There are some hilarious moments in it here and there, the movie can be offensive and abusive but hey, its name is "Bad words" so you kinda expect such things in it.
I love Jason Bateman, he is a great actor. And damn he can be one hell of a DICK, like in this movie. He is portraying a character who is ruining spelling bee contests and can't be prosecuted because of a loop hole in the rules. Kind of a unique premise, especially as far as comedies go.
Anyway, it is a decent feel-good comedy film. Worth a try, especially if you're a fan of Jason Bateman.
7.2/10
I feel compelled to review this because I believe some took this movie too personally, and thus rated it poorly.
If you are easily offended, you might be shocked or uncomfortable on several occasions. If you understand this is an artistic work of fiction, or if you like dark, sinister comedy, you can laugh at how this movie relentlessly pummels you with awkward moments. My advice is to cast away your moral standings in reality, and try see this movie from another perspective.
To be vague, it turns out there's a method to the madness towards the end. And for me, the underlying message made it worthwhile. Jason Bateman was incredibly convincing in this role!
If you are easily offended, you might be shocked or uncomfortable on several occasions. If you understand this is an artistic work of fiction, or if you like dark, sinister comedy, you can laugh at how this movie relentlessly pummels you with awkward moments. My advice is to cast away your moral standings in reality, and try see this movie from another perspective.
To be vague, it turns out there's a method to the madness towards the end. And for me, the underlying message made it worthwhile. Jason Bateman was incredibly convincing in this role!
The storyline allowed for a lot of funny moments and the movie definitely ran with it. It was hilarious and didn't stray from the plot to include any unneeded jokes (this is what draws me away from most comedies). The child, Chaitanya (Rohan Chand), was innocent and cute enough to provide a nice contrast to the unscrupulous Guy (Jason Bateman). With some heartwarming moments, this movie is more than just a rude comedy. The comedy is raunchy and vulgar though so it definitely takes a certain sense of humor to enjoy (sad to say that it is mine lol). Also, a little predictable, but that doesn't take away from the movie too much.
Debuting feature director Jason Bateman stars here as Guy Trilby, a 40 year old former proofreader for product guarantees. One day he gets the bright idea to enroll in a national Spelling Bee. He's found a loophole which he can exploit, so he's off and running, competing against kids a quarter of his age. These include the annoying but endearing Chaitanya Chopra (Rohan Chand), a boy with a demanding, somewhat distant father. Despite being a wise ass and a potty mouth (as well as a man on a mission), Guy finds himself befriending the boy.
"Bad Words" is a gem for this viewer. On the surface, it would seem to be a standard tale of an ageing loser, with much of the raunchiness and vulgarity expected from that sort of thing. Well, the movie doesn't disappoint in that regard, but it also turns out to have a fair bit of heart, without going overboard on sentiment. Guy is an enigma for a long time, confounding the reporter (the sexy Kathryn Hahn) with whom he frequently ends up having sex. (During which she apparently doesn't like being looked at.) And the friendship that develops between the smart alecky adult and the earnest kid was written in an entertaining and convincing way. Not surprisingly, Guy introduces Chaitanya to such grown up delights as ogling breasts, as well as teaching him the joys of practical jokes.
The language is often colourful enough to generate some laughs, although "Bad Words" never does wallow in complete raunchiness or unpleasantness. The words chosen for the spelling bee are pretty damn amusing at times.
Bateman does a creditable job as director, as well as delivering an engaging performance. Hahn, Allison Janney, Philip Baker Hall, Ben Falcone, Steve Witting, Beth Grant, Anjul Nigam, and Bob Stephenson are among a rock solid supporting cast. Young Chand is very likable.
Overall, a smart, funny tale recommended to comedy lovers tired of the predilection towards political correctness in current times.
Eight out of 10.
"Bad Words" is a gem for this viewer. On the surface, it would seem to be a standard tale of an ageing loser, with much of the raunchiness and vulgarity expected from that sort of thing. Well, the movie doesn't disappoint in that regard, but it also turns out to have a fair bit of heart, without going overboard on sentiment. Guy is an enigma for a long time, confounding the reporter (the sexy Kathryn Hahn) with whom he frequently ends up having sex. (During which she apparently doesn't like being looked at.) And the friendship that develops between the smart alecky adult and the earnest kid was written in an entertaining and convincing way. Not surprisingly, Guy introduces Chaitanya to such grown up delights as ogling breasts, as well as teaching him the joys of practical jokes.
The language is often colourful enough to generate some laughs, although "Bad Words" never does wallow in complete raunchiness or unpleasantness. The words chosen for the spelling bee are pretty damn amusing at times.
Bateman does a creditable job as director, as well as delivering an engaging performance. Hahn, Allison Janney, Philip Baker Hall, Ben Falcone, Steve Witting, Beth Grant, Anjul Nigam, and Bob Stephenson are among a rock solid supporting cast. Young Chand is very likable.
Overall, a smart, funny tale recommended to comedy lovers tired of the predilection towards political correctness in current times.
Eight out of 10.
Did you know
- TriviaDirectorial debut of Jason Bateman.
- GoofsThe definition for "Infinitesimally" is wrong. The word is an adverb; the definition given is for the adjective.
- Quotes
Guy Trilby: [to a mother who swore in the presence of Chai] Why don't you take your potty mouth, go locate your pre-teen cock-sucking son and stuff him back up that old blown-out sweat sock of a vagina and scoot off back to whatever shit-kicking town you came from!
- ConnectionsFeatured in Chelsea Lately: Episode #8.38 (2014)
- SoundtracksSymphony No. 1 in C Major, Op. 21, 1. Adagio Molto; Allegro Con Brio
Performed by Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic
Written by Ludwig van Beethoven
Courtesy of Sony Masterworks
By arrangement with Sony Music Licensing
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Also known as
- Bad Words
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $10,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $7,779,614
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $113,301
- Mar 16, 2014
- Gross worldwide
- $7,804,337
- Runtime
- 1h 29m(89 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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