It might seem surprising that with so many duds for every one hit, producers are still trying to make films out of television series. HBO moguls clearly had a point if they thought Entourage (the Movie) could not fail. Their award-winning baby not only has clout, but comes with a huge guaranteed audience.
The cynical amongst us might suspect that the movie is a desperate measure to squeeze the last buck out of a dying or rather, dead, series. In any event, Doug Ellin, who created the hit cable series, has co-written, co-produced and directed one of the laziest and least entertaining films of the century. The century is young, but if you manage to find a plot, a real conflict, interesting characters, witty writing or good laughs in Entourage, give us a call.
The main actors of the series reprise their roles in the film. Adrian Grenier is Vincent Chase. His entourage consist of: Kevin Connolly as ‘producer’ Eric Murphy, Kevin Dillon as Vince’s dumb brother Johnny, Jerry Ferrara as Turtle and Jeremy Piven as Vince’s agent-turned-studio head, Ira Gold.
Vince Chase, now a rich celebrity screen heart-throb, is hosting a divorce party on his yacht after just nine days of marriage. And Vince, who has is about to direct his first film, is the character we are meant to care about! Vince’s agent, Ari Gold, is now head of the studio that has agreed to finance Vince’s vanity project, a modern day reinterpretation of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
Vince’s film is over budget, but he persuades a conflicted Gold to give him more money while refusing to let him see the dailies (rushes). Gold flies to Texas to ask money-man Larsen McCredie (Billy Bob Thornton) for more money. Unlike Gold, McCredie has no trouble denying Vince more money, but he decides to send his demented, movie-mad son Travis (Haley Joel Osment) to a sneak preview of the rough cut. It seems that everyone but the financiers has been invited to the sneak preview, but at the last minute, Vince gets cold feet and the screening is cancelled.
Meanwhile, the studio bosses get cold feet, too and Gold is in trouble. Gold, who sees part of the film, knows it will be a hit and also knows he is about to be sacked. Crashing a board meeting, Gold forces a spiteful Travis to admit that he lied about the film to his father and the board because Vince stole a woman Travis was after. Gold isn’t so much fighting to keep his job, but his integrity. He knows a hit film when he sees one.
A major sub-plot concerns Johnny ‘Drama’ Chase. His part in Hyde has ended up on the cutting room floor thanks to Travis, and Johnny is the subject of an embarrassing Youtube clip that goes viral. Johnny’s humiliation will all be forgotten if, when his role is reinstated, he could just win a Golden Globe Award!
Entourage the Movie magnifies the weaknesses in the series that worked because we followed the characters, step by step, as they struggled to make it in Hollywood over time. Apparently based on the early struggles of mega star Mark Whalberg (who executive produced the series and co-produces the film) the mindless humour came from the friends’ ability to progress by chance, like a bungling Inspector Clouseau who somehow manages to catch the crook, or is credited with having done so.
In the movie Vince is just another rich star blackmailing his way into directing a film, and his entourage has little to do. We’ve seen so many satires on Hollywood, which has, in any event, changed over the years, that this antiquated attempt packs no punches. Back in 2004 Entourage might have seemed like a clever, insider critique of the L.A. lifestyle with its witless lads and vapid bikini-clad babes. Now, blown up for the big screen, it’s the film that feels witless and vapid.
Joyce Glasser – MT film reviewer
