Dir. Stephen Brill, 2004, USA, 95 mins
Cast: Seth Green, Matthew Lillard, Dax Shepard
Review by Frazer Ash
Dan, Tom and Jerry (Green, Shepard and Lillard), childhood friends reunited following the accidental death of their friend Billy, venture into the Oregon wilderness in search of long-lost loot, following a map Billy made before his untimely demise. The loot, some $200,000, is that of an equally long-lost DB Cooper, airplane high-jacker, missing since ’71. It won’t be easy to get, but the three friends set out regardless, in search of their childhood dream, an adventure into the unknown. But does what follows leave Without A Paddle up sh*t creek?
Without a Paddle is the first lead role for Dax Shepard, arguably the film’s most promising component. Both Lillard and Green equip themselves admirably, yet it’s Shepard who really steels the show. He’s a highly animated character with a strong screen presence, a good-looking chap and easily likeable in that rogueish way. Without a Paddle will undoubtedly see this newcomer on a road to future successes in the buddy/road-trip genre. Whether he’s got what it takes to move into other areas, or even whether Hollywood ‘s prepared to let him – it does so enjoy its typecasting – remains to be seen.
It’s also a joy to be paid a visit by the fantastic and sadly under-used Burt Reynolds, whose presence in the film as a mountain-dwelling hermit nods towards the film’s casual links with Deliverance. Reynolds, as has been proved many times before, has a natural talent for comedy, and adds some mature relief from the friends’ trek through a jungle of childish humour.
However, in terms of script, we’re not dealing with a winner. The dialogue’s stilted and unnatural, laying exposition and back-stories out in their bare-naked form. No care’s been taken to put them across in an interesting, let alone original way. Not only should you forget about taking your brain with you, you should probably make a concerted effort to leave it at home; it would only be a burden.
This is Stephen Brill’s fifth feature as director, his previous efforts including 2000′s Little Nicky and 2002′s Mr. Deeds (both Adam Sandler vehicles). It’s little surprise then, when you consider his role in these easily forgettable films, that Without a Paddle is, well, easily forgettable. There’s not much visible in the way of direction. The story ambles along, taking obvious turns and leaving nothing for you to work out on your own. The air of the film itself is a schizophrenic one. Without drawing breath it jumps between farcical sight gags, episodes of moral guidance and wilderness thrilleresque action. It never knows quite where it belongs.
Of course, this isn’t to say that it doesn’t hold any redeeming features whatsoever – a scene which sees the friends forced into a somewhat compromising position in their underwear is perfectly played – it’s simply that, though you may chuckle here and there whilst in the theatre, you’d be hard pressed to recall the experience later on. The jokes have no true wit behind them. They’re throwaway gags of a base intelligence and crude nature, catering for the sensibilities of toilet humorists everywhere: farts, drugs and hairy women. But if that’s what rocks your boat, look no further.
