I’ve never been a real big fan of Jennifer Aniston. I’m not really sure why. I liked her on “Friends”…until she ended up with Ross at the end. How lame. I’ve just never really been a fan of any of her movies. I didn’t even care much for her in “Horrible Bosses” when she was all sexed up. Paul Rudd, however, being a fellow Kansas City boy, I’m a fan of. When I decided to check out “Wanderlust”, I wondered how I’d feel about it. Paul Rudd, good. Jennifer Aniston, meh. Directed by David Wain, good. But still, Jennifer Aniston….
In “Wanderlust”, Aniston and Rudd play Linda and George, a married couple in New York, seemingly living the American Dream. She’s a filmmaker and he works some stuff corporate job. Just when they make the decision to buy a overpriced studio apartment, he loses his job and HBO rejects her idea for some ridiculous movie. They sell their place for a loss and move to the south to live with George’s brother (Ken Marino).
On their way, their car breaks down and they spend the night at a a commune house run by hippies. George loves their free way of life but Linda not so much. But their only with George’s bro for a few days before they realize maybe their better off with the hippies. Of course once they get back there, George starts to realize maybe it’s not as great as he thought it would be but Linda starts thinking she can get used to it. Things get real tricky when wife swapping and free love enter the equation. George and Linda’s relationship is challenge they never expected.
There are a lot of hilarious people involved in this movie including Justin Theroux, Alan Alda, Malin Akerman, Kathryn Hahn and Joe Lo Truglio. They play well together while contradicting the straight laced George and Linda and coaxing them into experiencing their way of life and casting aside their fixation on city life. It’s about what you’d expect from a movie produced by Judd Apatow movie. Even if you dont’ recognize the actor’s names, you’ll certainly recognize the faces.
As funny as it can be there are stretches where it just becomes more uncomfortable than funny. But there are enough likable actors involved that you should be able to get past the fact that it’s predictable and uneven at times.
“Wanderlust” is a funny movie with some great performances from reliable comedians who aren’t seen nearly as much as they should be. I even got past the fact that Jennifer Aniston was in it. It goes on a little too long but that’s pretty typical for movies anymore. Some just don’t know when to wrap it up. But if you’re looking for a night of laughs, this is a good one.
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The “Wanderlust” trailer:
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