Potty Mouth

Bad Words

Does anyone remember the days before auto correct? A time when people actually had to remember how to spell words? Auto correct is the main reason I still have respect for those kids who compete in spelling bees. However, the main character in Jason Bateman’s directorial debut does not.

Bad Words follows Guy Trilby (Jason Bateman), a grown, 40 year old man, who has weaseled his way into the National Spelling Bee competition. Following Trilby’s exploits is reporter, Jenny Widgeon (Kathryn Hahn We're the Millers), who tries and fails to find out the Trilby’s reasons for entering an elementary school event. During his journey, the very brash Trilby, meets his polar opposite in Chaitanya Chopra (Rohan Chand Homeland), who may or may not be Trilby’s biggest threat in the Bee.

Is this movie as ridiculous as the plot sounds…yes. That is what makes this film amusing. From the opening scene (Trilby explaining to a couple of local judges on how he is able to compete in the Spelling Bee) the film doesn’t take itself seriously. Even when the audience finds out Trilby’s reasons, the serious emotions are there and gone just as quickly.

Two things surprised me a great deal about this film. First was Jason Bateman’s ability to take on a character that is very different from his usually nice guy characters (Arrested Development and Horrible Bosses). Trilby, to be blunt, is a jackass and Bateman pulls it off beautifully. Second is the performance of young Rohan Chand. His upbeat and optimistic Chopra is the balance to Trilby the film needs. Also the foul language this youngster spouts out would make a sailor blush.

Batman goes behind the camera to direct this film. The great thing about Bateman directing this dark comedy is Bateman knows what he is doing. Due to his long career in comedy, Bateman extracts exactly what he wants from his co-stars and in doing so, they give us great comedic performances.

If you try not to find the absurdity in the plot, Bad Words will provide you with some pretty good laughs and you will enjoy on of the best comedies this year has to offer.

The Verdict: Worth Your Time