(Based on an advance preview:) The title "says it all" as it tells the story of a British writer named Sidney (SIMON PEGG) who's brought to work at the NYC office of an often "politically-correct" magazine by its once-rebellious editor (JEFF BRIDGES). Sidney is a rude, crude & lewd dude whose slovenly, excessive & blundering ways soon alienate many of those around him, including his boss Alison (KIRSTEN DUNST, who's quite breezy and enjoyable in the role). Sidney tends to shift between being a very moralistic & straightforward writer to being a butt-kissing hack flack, and then back again. PEGG does a good job in his often-off-putting role, & Bridges is appropriately bemused much of the time. But, while there are a number of mild laughs, overall, I found the film pretty WEAK. It's not bad in any particular way, but I feel it could've been far better if it more clearly went towards whatever it was trying to get across or highlight (either the humor or the efforts towards honest reporting & commentaries).
"HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS & ALIENATE PEOPLE" -- It's EASY to do in this film!
1 October 2008
Warning: Spoilers