Get Him to the Greek-A Movie Review

Aaron Green gets things done. The ambitious 24-year-old has been given a career-making assignment. His mission: Fly to London and escort a rock god to L.A.’s world famous Greek Theatre for the first-stop on a huge comeback tour. His record mogul boss, Sergio Roma, gives him one warning: “The artist is the worst person on Earth. Turn your back on him at your own peril.” British rocker Aldous Snow is a brilliant musician, but due to a bad break up and nose-diving career, has fallen off the wagon and is now a drunken disaster. Weary of “yes men” and scared he’s entered the “greatest hits” moment in his career, Snow’s in the midst of a nihilistic downward spiral. When he learns his true love, model/pop star Jackie Q, is in Los Angeles, Aldous makes it his quest to win her back–right before kick-starting his world domination. As the countdown to the concert begins, one innocent young man must navigate a minefield of London drug smuggles, New York City brawls and Vegas lap dances to deliver his charge safe and, sort of, sound–all while trying to remain faithful to his med student girlfriend. He may have to coax, lie to, enable and party with Aldous, but Aaron will get him to the Greek.

Genres: Comedy; Running Time: 1 hr. 49 min.; Release Date: June 4th, 2010 (wide); MPAA Rating: R for strong sexual content and drug use throughout, and pervasive language.

Starring: Jonah Hill, Russell Brand, Elisabeth Moss, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, Rose Byrne

Directed by: Nicholas Stoller

Me and Lay watched this via download several weeks ago. I’m just not getting around to reviewing it.

I will admit the previews just did not cause me to want to see this movie. It liked a lot sophomoric potty humor, and the concept seemed pointless and contrived. I have seen Jonah Hill in a some of supporting roles and found him amusing, was not very familiar with Russell Brand, and saw Sean Coombs (or Diddy, P. Diddy, whatever he calls himself these days) and though…another rapper who thinks he can act? But my Lay wanted to see this.

I was pleasantly surprised at how funny this film was. Hill plays mild-mannered record company employee Aaron Green, who, when put on the spot by his boss for a fresh idea, says he’d like to see his musical idol, rocker Aldous Snow (Brand) do a special concert at the Greek Theatre in L.A. The ensuing three-day trip to London to bring  Aldous “to the Greek” throws Aaron’s life, including his silly-sweet relationship with his doctor girlfriend (Elisabeth Moss), into turmoil. Aaron gets thrust headfirst into a world of sex, drugs, and (of course) rock ‘n roll, with the expected results. I could have done without some of the bodily fluids that were shown, but thankfully it was nowhere near as prevalent as it appeared to be in the previews (actually, I think all the big “gross-out” moments  in the trailer, which just doesn’t do the movie justice).

Of course, the highlight of the film is Aldous himself. Again, I’ve not seen that much of Brand, but this seems to be his role. He manages to make the sex-crazed, drug-addicted party boy Snow into a character that is (a little) sympathetic, if not likable. Hill is delightfully uncomfortable in his role as Aaron – when he’s not squirming and cringing at Snow’s antics, he’s being thrown into a world he is woefully unprepared for – with hilarious results. Coombs manages to hold his own among the more seasoned comedians as record company exec Sergio – the funniest scene of the film involves Sergio getting into a battle of fists, bottles, and whatever else is within reach with Aldous’ father, played by Star Trek TNG/Deep Space Nine alum Colm Meaney.

While there are a few uncomfortable moments (you’ll know them when you see them), Get Him to the Greek has a few laugh-out-loud moments, and  manages to surprise with just a twinge of heart. I’d say watch this movie.

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