Bad Words
Tags: cute

Plot synopsis:
The top of a large trophy depicts a bumble bee triumphantly holding up a torch overlooks an auditorium alive with activity. Parents and their children undergoing last minute preparations for the Big Day: The 15h Annual Regional Spelling Bee in Columbus, Ohio. Students practicing words, parents fixing their childrens collars or giving last minute pep talks all being watched by Guy Trilby (Jason Bateman) as he stands by the complementary food table listening to classical music. A parent lumbers over and asks Guy which child hes there to support but Guy tells him that he's not here to support anyone. Confused, the parent asks Guy if hes the Host of the Spelling Bee. Guy claims he's the Winner and gets on stage with the children. A heavy set child asks Guy why hes on the stage and Guy callously replies its because the boys chair was screaming for help. Help. He's so heavy. Help. Before the competition can begin, the elderly host comments that the seats are only for competitorsOutside the school, Guy is told his is ineligible to compete by the Principal but Guy fires back that the rules only state that the participates must not have graduated the 8th grade by the date of the Spelling Bee which he hasn't. The Principal points out that Guy also needs to be sponsored by a Nationally recognized media service enter Guys sponsor, Jenny Widgeon (Katheryn Hahn), a writer for the online paper The Click and Scroll. Jenny threatens to file a law suit to prevent the competition of continuing without Guys participation. The Principal expresses his disgust but allows Guy to participate.Guy 40, single and employed as a proof-reader of manufacturer warranties explains that a few weeks ago he stepped away from his routine in order to do this whole thing because his feelings were hurt. And maybe, as he bursts out of the school with the trophy in hand and a mob of parents in hot pursuit, he didn't think this through. He slides across the front of Jenny's car and the pair drive away as the parents assault the car.Jenny puts down the in-flight meal tray of Guy's seat and places a tape recorder. They're on route to the National Spelling Bee competition and Jenny reminds them of their arrangement: Guy has to answer one question for every round of the tournament he advances through in exchange for her sponsorship. Guy sarcastically rolls his eyes but Jenny, unhappy with the paltry answers shes been given thus far, wants to know: why is Guy so hell bent in pissing off parents and crushing the dreams of children by entering this competition? He doesn't answer and, frustrated, Jenny storms off to the bathroom.Jenny's barely gone when a small Indian boy in the seat in front turns around to stare at Guy. The little boy introduces himself as Chaitainya (Rohan Chand) and happily exclaims that he's also a participant in the National Spelling Bee. Guy disinterested tells "Chai" (his nickname) to point his little curry hole towards the front of plane or hell tell the stewardesses that he heard Chai's back ticking. Chai laughs before (unprompted) explaining that his parents are in first class but made him sit in economy because it builds character. Undeterred by Guys disinterest, Chai asks what Guys winning word was. Guy claims he cant remember before sarcastically confessing auto-fellatio. Chai is confused, unfamiliar with the word, and asks for the origin. Guy: Loneliness and the lady who just went to the bathroom can tell you all about that.Guy and Jenny arrive at the office of Bernice Deagan (Allison Janney), the Director of the National Spelling Bee. Deagan expresses her disgust at Guy's antics pointing out that his presence is a disgrace that she has not witnessed in the twenty years in which she has been in charge of the event. She claims that to get where she is, she worked hard and with integrity. Guy points out that she doesn't know him or why he's here but deflects when she demands an answer. She tells him he's in the wrong place to work out his childhood traumas but Guy simply replies that he'll be out of her hair in three days when he wins. She presents Guy with his accommodations and hands him his participation ID expressing the regret of Dr. Bowman for not being there to wrap the lanyard around Guy's throat. Guy asks if Dr. Bowman is too busy doing something more pleasurable to another man's throat but Deagan responds that Dr. Bowman is in the middle of a media training seminar because its the first year the National Spelling Bee will be televised nationally. Guy feigns shock and heads to his hotel.Guy reflects on the fact that he had every opportunity to stop what he was doing to quit and not turn this into a big deal but confesses that it would have taken the lessons that hed never been taught growing up. At the hotel, children walk around with their parents. Guy snags his room key and heads to the elevator. The doors start to close when Chai, luggage in hand, races through just making it in as the doors shut. He excitedly points out that they're both on floor too but Guy shrugs him off. No time for Shwarma. Chai continues to pester Guy asking for Guys favorite word until Guy is forced to say shut the fuck up and walks away, yelling at him all the way to his room the hotels storage closet.The receptionist tells Guy that his accommodations are special and that the hotel is completely booked out. I don't have a bathroom, Guy complains. Yea. His reputation precedes him it seems. Guy calmly asks where he should put his piss and shit but receives no response instead, he heads off to the bar. Jenny joins him and laughs that Deagan is sending him a message. Jenny asks about Guys parents but Guy tells her to screw off so he can drink in peace. Jenny takes his choice of words to mean that Guy would like to have sex with her. Again. Guy looks at her, amused, and says first of all, you're welcome. He asks if screwing off sounds good and tells her all she has to do is ask nicely.The two have sex in Guy's storage closet of a room. As he thrusts, Jenny keeps repeating "Don't Look At Me!" Guy tries to screw her without looking at her but accidentally makes eye contact illiciting another scream of "DON'T LOOK AT ME." They finish up and Jenny dresses in a hurry, clearly regretting the entire encounter. After she leaves, Guy notices her panties lie crumpled in a corner of the room. He picks them up and slips them in his pocket when there's a knock at the door. Guy comments that Jenny should take better care to grab her panties before she leaves when he looks down and realizes its Chai.Chai asks Guy if Guy can open a jar of minibar pretzels. Guy takes the jar and closes the door on Chai opening up a few minutes later with the open jar and asking about Chai's parents. Chai tells him that his parents are staying in another hotel and that he studied so hard he missed room service. Guy brushes past Chai and goes straight for the minibar. Chai introduces Guy to his friend Todd Chai's book of words and their origins that he studies from nightly. Guy thinks that makes sense, grabs some booze and starts drinking. Chai asks if Fuck is Guy's favorite word and Guy tells him that it's up there. Guy pushes Chai to swear and doesn't stop until Chai says motherfucker. Guy calls him a weirdo and continues drinking.Chai wakes up Guy who passed out Chai's chair. He leaves the room a minute before Chai's father leaves the elevator and meets up with Jenny. They walk and talk on their way to the competition and Guy is about to return her panties when she explains he's been placed next to an expert speller: the child of two previous winners. As they pass the receptionist's desk, Guy plops a plastic bag on the desk for the woman: a plastic bag full of his shit.Deagan hands the randomized list of words for the round to the MC and angrily tells him that this year he should properly enunciate the words. Guy finds his seat among the children as a reporter introduces Dr. Bill Bowman (Philip Baker Hall) the President of the Golden Quill National Spelling Bee. As the first competitor goes up, Guy introduces himself to the boy sitting next to him but the boy responds that his father told him not to talk to the unemployed bum trying to take the money I deserve. Guy processes this before saying that he understands why his father is angry and hands the boy Jenny's panties. "Can you do me a favor and return these to your mother? She left these in my room last night. I'd do it myself but your father's here and I don't want to tip the nest. Good luck with that divorce though, they can be quite messy."The host calls the boy up to the podium, still holding Jenny's panties and processing what Guy said about his mother. Glancing over at his parents, he struggles with his word and misspells it eliminating him from the competition. He storms off the stage and shoves the panties into his mothers handas Jenny watches, cringing at how her panties were used by Guy.Guy is called up for his word, which he spells correctly. As the reporter and Dr. Bowman discuss the situation, Dr. Bowman exclaims that they are currently going through the process of plugging up the loop holes so that no more stunts like this can ever occur. In Deagan's office, a host of angry parents ridicule her for allowing Guy to participate in the competition. She assures them that if Guy makes it to the finals she will step down as director immediately.Back at the hotel, Guy downs nips from the minibar. Jenny offhandedly asks Guy what the grammatical significance of Why run from fire ants? Guy thinks and points out that every vowel is there in order backwards. She asks if there are any words in the English language that have every vowel in order and Guy immediately responds with facetious. Jenny tells Guy that those questions were from a test that is given to children who could potentially be geniuses which his eighth grade assessments confirmed before he dropped out. Guy flips through the papers but tosses them aside; disinterested. He points out that his father was never around as a kid so he never had guidance or direction. Jenny asks who his father is since it could be a genetic gift and Guy confirms it didn't come from his mother a woman who hated education so much that when he entered, ironically enough, his first spelling bee she burned his favorite dictionary. Jenny asks if that is why Guy is here, to get back at his dead mother. He responds that she has bigger issues since she needs to be blindfolded to get off during sex. She swears she wont let him near her vagina even if she were offered a million dollars but a few moments later shes giving him a rim job in the shower. Guy laughs: "I get it now. Don't look at me."Guy leaves her room and sees Chai sitting on the floor outside his room. He asks the boy if he got locked out of his own room but Chai was just waiting to see if Guy would like to get dinner. Guy agrees and they go to the hotel restaurant. Chai happily exclaims that he enjoys the competition and doesn't care about winning; just having fun. Before Guy can respond one of the competitors mothers (Rachel Harris) comes up to them and tells Guy he is an insult to everyone who worked hard to get to the competition calling him nothing more than an asshole. Guy tells her that Chai is a child and that he doesn't speak like that in front of the boy but that she can take her potty mouth, locate her preteen cocksucker son, shove him up that old blown out sock of a vagina, and go back to whatever shit kicking town you came from. He continues to insult her vagina and then tells her Good night. He tells Chai they should go have some fun.The pair kick off the night by running into a supermarket and stealing a live lobster. They proceed to run around town, hitting up several bars and performing pranks on locals before doing donuts in a nearby parking lot with Jenny's rental car. After, they wash their hands in a nearby bathroom when a businessman enters, texting on his blackberry. Guy and Chai stifle giggles as the man goes into a stall. A few moments pass before the man stumbles out with his pants around his ankles and the lobsters claw around his junk.At a local dive bar, Jenny meets with a former boyfriend, a Bureau employee, and gets a background check on Guy Trilby. The ex-boyfriend makes awkward advances while she reads the papers realizing why Guy is in the National Spelling Bee in the first place.Guy takes Chai out to get chilidogs and milk shakes. Chai says that he's happy they are friends and Guy laughs. He tells Chai that he's always been a loner and when he was little his mother would always take him along, avoiding paying rent, so he never ended up with a lot of friends. He tells Chai that even if Chai never makes any more friends, he'll be fine just like Guy. Chai gives Guy a toy car he stole from the Super Market when they stole the lobster, pointing out that: "toys aren't fun to play with if you don't have friends to share them with." Guy repays Chai's kindness by hiring a hooker to show Chai her tits. They return to the hotel and when Chai enters his room, his father is waiting.On the bus to the competition the next morning, Jenny asks if they can make time after today's round to talk not mentioning the background check. In her office, Deagan alters the days list so that Guy is given an extraordinarily hard word, and once again insults the host by telling him that he should speak English when he reads the words.Guy tells the girl he is now sitting next to that she might have dropped a hair clip on the ground when she stands up to check, he rips open a ketchup packet and pours it out on the girls chair. She complains that she couldn't see it but Guy tells her not to mind its time to celebrate: shes now a woman. The girl doesn't understand what hes saying but Guy tells her that she had her period all over the back of her pants. She gets nervous about the situation and, as the host calls her name several times, she runs out of the auditorium in embarrassment. Guy is called up to the podium after and the host pauses, horrified at the word he must now read out loud: Floccinaucinihilipilification. Guy asks him to repeat it, processing the word before slowly spelling it correctly! He smiles at Deagan and returns to his seat.The number of competitors dwindles until Guy and Chai are among the finalists. The angry mob returns to Deagan's office demanding her head (or just her resignation). She refuses until the host arrives with the tampered USB flash drive and points out she unfairly manipulated the competition so that Guy would get the hardest words: a violation of the conditions of the National Spelling Bee. The parents are horrified that Guy is still in the competition despite these measures having been taken. The host smirks at Deagan and tells her that while Guy may be an unlikeable asshole, he still deserves a fair chance. "You're done", he says. "Did I enunciate that correctly?"Guy returns to the hotel and receives a message from the receptionist. He is surprised to see it is from Dr. Bowman. Meeting by a duck pond, Dr. Bowman confesses that, when he was younger, he had a wild time often coming to the precipice of making life altering mistakes. Each time, with no guidance of his own, he was able to turn around and walk away from those mistakes to make something of himself. He tells Guy that he's approaching an abyss of his own and assures him that if he continues further in the competition he will not be able to live with what he did to all those children. Guy retorts that it's a nice threat, but Dr. Bowman simply says Losers lose, Mr. Trilby. Dr. Bowman walks away after confirming that he thinks Guy is nothing more than a loser but Guy tells him that he's not going to lose.Swinging by a gas station to pick up a few Playboys for Chai, Guy walks up to his room when Jenny arrives eager to talk about her discovery. He brushes past her, all he wants to do is give the kid his porn and ice cream and then go to sleep. Jenny gets upset that Guy can't even fake interest in talking despite the way their relationship has been going. She calls him a prick and leaves him on his own.As he reaches Chai's room, he sees the door ajar and talking from within. Chai's father reminds Chai that while Chai must keep Guy close for the competitive advantage, he must not get too close as Guy is still the enemy and that he should keep Guy close so that Guy wont be able to bring himself to beat Chai when the time comes. Chai says he knows the plan when Guy bursts in, angry. Guy reveals he heard everything and tells Chai that he makes him sick. Chai insists that they're really friends but Guy calls him a liar. But Guy, we ARE friends you showed me my first boobs! Chai's father is instantly confused but Guy reiterates that Chai is a liar. Guy tosses the toy car onto the floor and stomps it before storming out.Later that evening, the receptionist calls Chai's room to tell him that his father will pick him up in the lobby to take him out for ice cream. Chair leaves the room and, as he does, Guy sneaks in. Chai arrives at the lobby and waits, confused, before returning to the room and finding Todd his spelling binder missing. Noticing a bright orange light in the window, Chai draws closer pulling apart the shades to reveal Guy in the courtyard: burning Todd and giving Chai the finger. Chai bursts into tears of anguish at the sight of his notebook on fire.A few hours later, when hes sure Guy is asleep, Chai calls the police to report that Guy has abducted and possibly raped a young woman. He watches as two police officers burst into Guys room and drag him out violently.Jenny gets Guy out of jail and insists that they talk about what shes found. She confesses that she knows his father is Dr. Bowman and Guy congratulates her she's a better reporter than he thought. Guy tells her that his mother told him on her deathbed who his father was and how to find him. Bowman had been a traveling encyclopedia salesman and his mother was a waitress; after a one night stand, she got pregnant, told Bowman and Bowman took off. Pissed at Bowman and angry at the loss of his mother, Guy decided to embarrass Bowman and his precious spelling competition. Jenny asks Guy if Bowman knows who Guy is. Not a clue. But he will once its over.The finals get underway speller after speller is eliminated. When Guy is called up his word is slubberdegullion. Before he can start spelling, the mother he insulted at the hotel restaurant calls out Perfect, I know what that means a dirty, wretched slob just like you. The host turns towards her and says that if she keeps talking, she will be asked to leave. Outraged, she screams that the host should ask Guy to leave security offers come and escort her from the room as her outburst escalates into profanities on national television. The entire crowd begins chanting Kick him out, kick him out over and over forcing Bowman to take the mic and tell them that they are on national television and should show the competition the respect it deserves that he deserves. He tosses the mic to the floor and Guy responds in kind by spelling the word correctly and taking his seat.The third to last speller is eliminated and now its just Guy and Chai. Guy is called up first and given his word: Parisology. Guy looks out at the crowd, taking them in. He spells slowly and deliberately looking right at Bowman as he purposely misspells the word. Everyone begins clapping in excitement but the Host interrupts to remind them: because its the final two, Guy will stay on stage until Chai spells his word correctly if Chai messes up his word, Guy will get another chance to win. Guy sits down and tells Chai hes done but Chai insists that they are still friends and misspells his word to prove it.Guy is dumbfounded and gets up to the mic, misspells his word again and tells Chai that its his game to win. Chai refuses telling Guy that if this is the only way to prove they are friends then its what hell do. Guy tells him to stop wasting his time turning to Chai's parents in the audience to complement them on what a lying piece of shit their son is. He goes up to take the mic and misspell his next word when Chai gets up and growls I did not lie! kicking Guy straight in the balls. The collective audience gasps in surprise. Guy breathes in you can add violent to the list. Gandhi would be proud. Dr. Bowman rushes to the stage as Chai picks up a chair and declares I was born in Cleveland, Ohio! swinging for Guy but knocking Dr. Bowman off the stage instead.A commercial interruption. Public access tv messages float by as the Host, officials and Dr. Bowman decide on how to proceed.Dr. Bowman addresses the audience because the contestants behavior was equally egregious, neither will be disqualified. They will each be given 1 more round of words and the winner will then be decided. Chai goes up first and his father stands up, begging the boy not to embarrass him or his mother any further. Guy realizes that if he doesn't think fast, this could drag on further. When the host reads out Chai's word, Guy immediately says Come on kid, easiest word in the world and misspells it. Chai retorts that Guy missed a letter, and spells it correctly. Dr. Bowman laughs triumphant BOTH contestants can now be disqualified on the grounds of cheating. But the host quickly points out that because Guy was purposefully misspelling the word and Chai corrected him, Chai wasn't receiving help and STILL spelled the word correctly. Bowman declares Chai the winner and Guy walks off the stage and towards the exit of the auditorium. As he leaves Chai insists that he wants to split the winnings with Guy because they're friends, but Guy smiles and gives the kid the finger and leaves.In his hotel room, Guy sees the supply list hanging on the wall and decides to write down his story in a letter for Bowman - explaining who he is, how he got there and why he did what he did (bookending the narration of the film). He and Jenny check out, smiling having patched up their differences. On the way out of the hotel, he passes Dr. Bowman and hands Bowman the letter but Bowman rips it in two. What could you have to write that I would be interested in reading? Guy frowns and responds: The bit about me being your son. He takes Jennys hand and walks away. As he leaves, Bowman stoops down to pick up the letter.On a plane home, Bowman has the taped letter in his hand and reads it over the last line explaining that the note wasn't about blame, it was just an explanation and a request for understanding. Guy signs off Yours, literally Guy Trilby.Sometime later, Chai leaves school and a pair of bullies knock his stuff to the floor. As they cycle away, an unmarked Crowne Victoria pulls up in front of the school with Guy in the drivers seat. Chai asks how Guy got the car and Guy tells him that he won it at a police auction with his half of the winnings. He offers the kid a ride and puts a siren on the roof. Together, they drive after the bullies on their bikes cheering as they do it.The End.

Review: Jason Bateman's (Horrible Bosses, Up In the Air) directorial debut Bad Words did just that–allow me to lose myself to laugh so hard with such shocking moments that I almost forgot I had to review the film.Bad Words is a short, sweet and unexpectedly dark comedy with instances of pure vulgarity and vileness that is at the same time, heartwarming–yes, you read that right.For one, Bad Words was the first ever straight-up comedy I have ever experienced at TIFF.
Of course, so many movies have heavy comedic instances, but I can assure you, Bad Words will have you laughing so hard, that at times, you'll find it hard to hear the next bit of dialogue (I'm warning you from experience).The film opens with unexplained genius Guy Trilby (Jason Bateman) entering himself in a regional spelling bee, with a brief flashback explaining how he has been able to register legally.
Once Bateman makes it to the super bowl of spelling bees, The Golden Quill, along with his travelling documenting reporter (Kathryn Hahn, We're The Millers), hilarity and vulgarity ensue.The mystery behind Trilby's anger with the world, constant bitterness and his obsession with winning the bee is at the centre of the film, along with his inability to allow anyone get close enough for him to care, drive the narrative.
Trilby's scenes with "slumdog" (Rohan Chand), a lonely prostitute on the street, or a victimized man going to a washroom stall, are some of the best in the film.Bateman undoubtedly has a keen eye for comedy.
I was blown away by the surprisingly low "6.7" current rating on IMDb. My theory: The easily offended were easily offended (perhaps the movie should have been called "Bad Words").(Some of my favorite comedies: Dumb & Dumber, Super Troopers, and Tommy Boy).Jason Bateman stared in, and directed, this "tightly" constructed DARK adult comedy.
With a premise and character right in his wheelhouse, first time director and star Jason Bateman takes a script that could've been undermined by its clichés in the hands of a lesser talent and delivers an almost-winner with 'Bad Words'.On paper, Guy Trilby is one of the most unlikeable protagonists in recent film history, but Bateman is so skillful at these kinds of characters that you find yourself liking him despite your self.
Talented co-star Kathryn Hahn provides a nice foil, and newcomer Rohan Chand is a dazzling breath of unpretentious fresh air as Guy's rival and eventual protégé.Though it never quite gels into something special, 'Bad Words' is a solid directorial debut for Bateman, and I look forward to seeing what he does next..
Jason Bateman sells the vile Guy Trilby role and the co star kid played by Rohan Chand is fantastic and really is the child prodigy he plays.
Hopefully in this case, the movie itself was pretty good.Directed and Acted by Jason Bateman, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it was more of a feel-good drama film instead of a comedy.
But in his little voyage to that dark destination, he does find the good in his heart, plus an unlikely friend.Although it starts like a comedy (and with some crude humor), the movie builds in emotions especially towards the end.Overall: Check-it out..
Jason Bateman is Guy Trilby, who is 40 year old man who seeks to capture a lost moment of his youth to win the spelling bee.
I have to say that Bad Words was an entertaining film and actor/director Jason Bateman certainly delivered the goods to the audience.
The finale at the spelling bee is hysterical and more so when you realize in the film it's all going out over television.Although Bateman descends into realms that Adam Sandler has staked out in the movie-going public, Bad Words is a delightful and charming film and I recommend it highly.
Bad words staring Jason Bateman is a dark comedy about an aged individual entering a spelling bee that under normal circumstances is restricted to young children.
Unlike some movies this one does not end abruptly or without a proper finish leaving the viewers scratching their heads , its a nice family movie (unless you are watching the unrated version)that even kids can enjoy , story is simple but it does have an element of mystery that keeps you guessing , it does have some emotional moments in case you are wondering but primarily the movie is of comedy genre and you will get plenty of laughs from it , and on top of that because of the story and the depiction of the spelling bee competition you will learn some new words as well , really a win on all fronts , i have said pretty much i wanted to say in first 3-4 lines , but IMDb has this minimum review of 10 lines policy so i have to comply , well to summarize , its a nice fresh comedy movie that you will not regret watching so if you want please to ahead and watch it ..
Jason Bateman is forty year-old Guy Trilby, a single man competing with kids in spelling bees.
Jason Bateman's Directorial Debut 'Bad Words', in which he also enacts the main role, is a delightfully rude comedy, about an imbecile with a heart.
But the film, nowhere near perfection, does manage to be solidly funny and serves as a good directorial debut for star Jason Bateman.
Bateman's film is about a crude, bad-mouth man named Guy Trillby who enters the Golden Quill, a national spelling competition designed for children.
But 40-year-old Guy finds a loophole and he decides to participate in the spelling bee despite all the backlash from the parents and officials.Granted, Jason Bateman's character was extremely unlikable.
The spelling bee scenes (there aren't many) are hilarious, and Guy's (Bateman) interactions with the students are funny almost all the time.
The young kid in the movie is insanely good; when he turns around in his chair on the airplane for his meet cute with Bateman and you see the appreciation in his face, his lack of disgust or shock, you can tell already that he really does like the protagonist and has the capacity to break down his walls.
In Bad Words, his directorial debut, he's a filthy and dreadfully unlikable man by the name of Guy Trilby, who has exploited a loophole in a national spelling bee, a competition meant for young, school-age children, that allows him to be a contender as well.
In Bad Words, his first comedy film (I'm not counting Jack and Jill), Chand has to say and hear words his real-life parents likely haven't said within his earshot, and yet, he gets by on his incredible timing and wit that he brings.
Then there's and Indian boy, 10 years of age who befriends Guy.The movie plays off well with some very funny moments, some very nicely directed scenes with awesome back-ground music and an absolutely cute display of the story.I won't go into details but just recommend this light-heart flick for a light and pleasant day..
'BAD WORDS': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)Jason Bateman makes his feature film directorial debut with this dark comedy about a 40-year-old, that never finished the eighth-grade, who sets out to win a spelling bee (due to a loophole in the admittance guidelines).
It's highlighted by Bateman's performance and impressive directing skills though.Bateman plays Guy Trilby, a 40-year-old who is able to enter a National Quill Spelling Bee due to the fact that he never finished the eighth-grade (and the entry rules only require that participants haven't finished the eighth-grade before a certain date).
We don't find out Guy's true motives for entering the spelling bee until the end of the film but it is inspired by something from his past.The movie reminded me a lot of the film 'BAD SANTA' (in style and humor) and both flicks are about a morally questionable adult befriending and influencing a young child with his wild way of life.
Jason Bateman stars as a 40 year-old who is competing in a national spelling bee for children through a loophole.
Guy Triby (Jason Bateman), an adult, finds a loophole in spelling bee competition rules and enters much to the dismay of parents who want their children to win.
Jason Bateman ditches Mr.Put-Upon-Nice-Guy but you'll need to remember him to make it to the end of this crude, funny but empty comedy.
Jason Bateman makes his directorial debut with this R Rated indie comedy that sees him attempting to drop his Mr.Put-Upon-Nice-Guy persona while starring in a film that doesn't exactly work without it.
Bateman plays Guy Trilby a foul mouthed, negative, man-child with a savant way with words who has, through a loop-hole and with the support of reporter Kathryn Hahn, entered the Golden Quill spelling bee much to the chagrin of it's organisers Allison Janney and Philip Baker Hall and the parents of the children, the other participants.The film is a short, well acted and competently directed, verbal, indie comedy.
His personal vendetta effects way more people than the actual, solitary focus of it and I guess it's just down to Bateman's like-ability as an actor, the genuinely funny dialogue and the fact that we are stuck following him for the whole movie that keeps us, the audience, dubiously 'on his side'.There is a sub-plot about his befriending a child, a fellow contestant, and 'tearing up' the town with him in the evenings which, I suppose, is intended to endear him to us a little and play to the rebel in all of us but some of the things they do, including causing a stolen lobster to lacerate a man's genitals, seem a tad cruel for no reason, as well.Now before you think I am taking this all too seriously, let me explain.
Films, however, whether people like it or not, have to have characters, plots and motivations that make relative sense within their presented frame work and while "it's just a comedy" may excuse a lot of illogical or unforgivably cruel behaviour, the fact that the film, ultimately, asks us to give a hoot about this selfish, arrogant arse hole of a man means that we have to, at least, buy into the story and care a little, when it doesn't give us a lot of satisfactory reasons to.
Had he participated in the contest without cheating and eliminating some of his opponents in humiliating ways or had he befriended the kid, torn round the town but not hurt a man's penis with a large clawed sea creature then his character might have been a little more redeemable, while being no less funny.There are echoes of Wes Anderson in the characters and the plot, especially Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums without, of course, it being anywhere nearly as charmingly presented or stylish.A worthy debut, though, for Bateman as a director and interesting to see the R Rated comedy given the mumble core indie treatment..
The runtime is a little long even at an hour and a half and the heartfelt moments seem a little scripted and predictable.Pros: Great performances by Jason Bateman, Kathryn Hahn , and Rohan Chand, funny and hilarious story, and well timed jokesCons: A little overlong runtime and some predictable heartfelt momentsOverall Rating: 8.4.
Yes. For those reviewers mentioning the audience laughing at specific moments in the movie, it was often because it was so shocking or inappropriate that one couldn't believe that those words would come out of his mouth...and I'm pretty sure that was the intent (not racism).I liked this movie way more than I ever thought I would and it made me laugh harder than I have laughed in a long time.
Guy Trilby (Jason Bateman)is a 40 year old man who never actually graduated 8th grade at school and uses this as a loophole to compete in the National Spelling Bee championships.
True these are the sorts of things we've seen before, but as long as I'm laughing I really don't care if some of what I see isn't particularly original.Bateman plays an obnoxious character here and again this could have been something that could have grated on me whilst watching the film.
Working from Andrew Dodge's script Bateman is also given some good material to work from (as indeed are many of his co-stars).Whilst the picture is mostly funny and whilst it also has a mostly original plot line, the film does start to come apart slightly in the final third; Dodge's script starts to become a bit heavy-handed and a tad repetitive.
The twist at the end explaining away Bateman's desire to compete in the Spelling Bee was also a bit lame which was a bit of a shame given that the picture had a fairly original plot line.Yes there are some flaws here but when looking at the film in its entirety there is definitely more good than bad.
Jason Bateman finally makes me laugh a couple times in one of the strangest and most creative comedies in recent years..
Not once have I seen a comedy that made me laugh so hard and confused me so much as "Bad Words." This is Jason Bateman starring and directing a strange comedy that may even be called intelligent.
"What was your favorite word?"Jason Bateman is a funny guy although his films are usually hit or miss with me.
I just couldn't get into the premise of this film considering Bateman plays a 40 year old guy competing in the largest spelling bee competition in the USA against a bunch of young and intelligent kids.
I will give some credit to Jason Bateman (who also directed this film) for casting himself against type considering he usually plays the nice guy and here he plays a hateful and racist character.
I just didn't find any situation funny in Bad Words and I don't think we can call a film hilarious only for pushing the limits on swearing and calling kids and their parents names.
Rohan Chand plays one of the competitors in the spelling bee who befriends Guy (Jason Bateman).
I did feel a bit uncomfortable with the strange relationships between each character and I simply found Bateman's Guy too hateful to want to spend more time watching him on screen..
Simply Bad. I really like Jason Bateman and there were some amusing moments in this film, but all the foul language with children and the basically disgusting behavior targeting children was not at all funny.The thesis that Guy was doing all this to discredit his father who abandoned Guy's mother and him at birth was far-fetched.
Jason Bateman's directorial debut is not only great, but one of the best dark comedies to be released in a long time!
Part of what makes the plot so intriguing is not only the sheer absurdity of it, but also Guy's reasoning behind what he is doing is left a mystery and isn't revealed till later in the film.While Jason Bateman is a great actor, he has been type-casted as the straight man in almost everything he has starred in.
Rohan Chand who plays a fellow spelling bee contestant who friends Guy also does a fantastic job and is one of the best child actors I've seen in a film in quite sometime.
As terrible as I felt for it, I laughed almost uncontrollably throughout most of these scenes.But the most surprising thing about Bad Words may be that behind all of it's dark humor and mean spiritness, it's actually a very heartwarming and feel-good movie and has a pretty good message about letting go of the past.
Despite this, it doesn't take away any of the laughs the film has to offer.If you can get past it's predictability and vulgarity, Bad Words is one of the best comedies to be released in a long time!
Jason Bateman makes his directorial debut with "Bad Words." It's a darkly humorous tale about Guy Trilby (played by Jason Bateman) who finds a loophole in a spelling bee competition so he can compete with young kids and win the grand prize of $50,000.
The premise sounds ridiculous, but it's actually really funny.Bateman plays a jaded, potty-mouthed 40 year old who seems to enter the spelling bee just to be a "jerk," but if you pay close attention, the motives become pretty obvious about half way through.
Especially with the chemistry between the main character Guy (Jason Bateman) and one of the spelling bee kid.
"Bad Words" (2013) sees actor Jason Bateman making his directorial feature film debut.
I'm sure most people do.When you get past the movie's desperate attempts at humor through shock value, it lags a bit because nothing seems to be as interesting in the film as Jason Bateman tricking a young girl into believing she's had her first period.
"Bad Words" is a hard film to review, as it is extremely mean spirited and vulgar, yet often funny to even hilarious.
Jason Bateman's "Bad Words" has a pretty intriguing plot, an adult entering a spelling bee through a loophole in the rules, and then wrecking havoc on the contest.
Guy Trilby (Jason Bateman) is blatantly rude to everyone, kids as well and the fact that he's a 40 year old man trying to win the Spelling Bee contest, which is full of kids, made this movie original and a great watch.
Budget: $10million Worldwide Gross: $8millionI recommend this movie to people who are into their comedy/dramas about a 40 year old man who finds a loophole in the spelling bee contest which means that he can enter against young kids.
Jason Bateman makes his feature directorial debut with the subversive comedy Bad Words.
Mr. Bateman stars as Guy Trilby, a 40-year-old who finds a loophole in the rules of The Golden Quill national spelling bee and decides to cause trouble by hijacking the competition.
I will go see another Jason Bateman directed movie.The story is good.
watch "The Three Stooges." (It's doubtful those who enjoy "Bad Words" have a clue about either.) Bateman is a funny guy.