Let’s not mince words: this is the worst picture I’ve seen in a long, long, LONG time. A total wipeout. Hedonistic Moondog (Matthew McConaughey) is a selfish, middle-aged stoner/poet who sails around Key West in a boat named Well Hung, proclaiming, “I’m a bottom feeder. I go low to get high.” Although Moondog is openly promiscuous, he seems somewhat surprised to discover that his wealthy wife, Minnie (Isla Fisher), is shagging their best friend (Snoop Dogg), a musician/drug dealer. When Minnie dies in an automobile accident, Moondog learns that she put his multi-million dollar inheritance in escrow until he finishes writing his next book. Aside from those plot points, the freewheeling narrative consists of disjointed episodes that chronicle Moondog’s decadence and debauchery. Jonah Hill plays his literary agent. Zac Efron is a preacher Moondog befriends in rehab. Accompanied by his coke-addicted parrot, Martin Lawrence escorts dolphin-watchers on an ill-fated boat tour. And Stefania LaVie Owen, as Moondog’s daughter, notes, “He may be a jerk, but he’s a great man.” Meanwhile, surrounded by bare-breasted babes, Jimmy Buffett views the hijinks with obvious amusement, perhaps content with the royalties he’s banking for the use of his Margaritaville songbook. Provocateur writer/director Harmony Korine (Kids) thinks he’s created a comedy, but it’s not funny, and becomes particularly mean-spirited when Moondog mugs an elderly, wheelchair-bound man for his money. Not recommended. (S. Granger)
The Beach Bum
Universal, 95 min., R, DVD: $22.99, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $34.99, June 18 Volume 34, Issue 4
The Beach Bum
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As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
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