Get Him to the Greek: Review

“Exciting, ball bags…. dinkle”

These are some of the things why I love Russell Brand… unfortunately in his latest he quotes none of the above… well, maybe “ball bags” – but I really can’t remember? But, that doesn’t stop Get Him to the Greek being the funniest film I’ve seen this year, trust me the trailers for this film are shit and do no justice to this flick (there is a five minute intro available on the web that gives you a better indication on the tone of this film.)

Get him to the Greek is a spin off film that tells the story of rock god Aldous Snow who you may remember from Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Aldous Snow has hit hard times recently – his last hit ‘African Child’ bombed, the media describe it as “one of the worst things to happen to Africa since war and famine”. I’ll set the scene – Brand prances around war torn Africa dressed as a self proclaimed ‘White Space Christ’. Singing lyrics such as “I’ve crossed the mystic desert, to snap pictures of the poor, I’ve invited them to brunch, let them crash out on my floor. There’s sunshine in my vein, my kitchens filled with flies”.  It’s there we also meet Snow’s other half Jackie Q (Rose Byrne) an equally deluded British pop star (think – a better looking Lily Allen.)

Since ‘African Child’ Snow’s world has fell apart Jackie Q has left him, he’s off the wagon and back on copious amounts of drugs and booze. Sergio Roma (a scene stealing Sean “Diddy” Coombs) is a music mogul looking for the next big thing. Aaron Green (Jonah Hill) a low level talent scout working for Sergio and a massive Infant Sorrow fan (Aldous’s band) suggests that Aldous Snow holds a ten year anniversary festival at the Greek Theatre and maybe in the process revive Snow’s career. Aaron’s tasked with travelling to London, pick up the wild man and get him to the Greek Theatre in LA in just three days.   

As you can expect all manner of things go wrong, I’m not gonna go into detail but the film is very funny. The funniest film in fact – since last years The Hangover. Now if you’re not a fan of Russell Brand or Jonah Hill, well… this film isn’t going to change your mind. Both actors play to their strengths, Brand playing a drug fuelled rock star with an inflated ego with a mind that generally isn’t on this planet. And Hill playing a normal guy in a extraordinary situation and is completely out of his depth in trying to tame a madman.

While both these guys service these roles extremely well… Surprisingly, its Sean “Diddy” Coombs who completely fucking steals the show! Diddy is nothing short of excellent in this! I’m told he had to audition for the role and had to sit it out in the waiting room just like everybody else. And being a big Apatow fan he persisted and… as surreal as it was – eventually won over the crew.

Nicolas Stoller (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) is on directing duties again and steps his game up in the vulgar humour category (you have to these days… audiences always want to see bigger and better.)There are plenty of laughs to be had, the third act does veer off into more of a sweet melodrama territory. Clever critics complained and thought it was clichéd…  but, whatever – I enjoyed it. I thought it added a human element and grounded Aldous Snow for us mere mortals. Greek is a spinoff film which I feel is far superior to Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Trust me… if you were a fan of that film you will love this.

**** (5 Stars)