Russell Band as Aldous Snow in 'Get him to the Greek'.
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Film review: Get Him to the Greek (12a)
June 30, 2010
Stars - Jonah Hill, Rose Byrne, Russell Brand, Zoe Salmon, P Diddy (aka Sean Combs), Colm Meaney
Even though it comes from the creators of Superbad, The 40-Year-Old-Virgin and Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and is based on a character from super-comedy producer Judd Apatow’s back catalogue, there is something about Get Him to the Greek that makes you groan before you’ve even set foot inside the cinema.
A potentially toxic combination of controversial British comedian Russell Brand in the lead role and the film’s status as a spin-off from a so-so Apatow comedy creates a sense that Get Him To The Greek isn’t going to be very good.
In fact, the overriding feeling is that it will be toe-curlingly awful.
Surprisingly, it isn’t.
Brand reprises his role as Aldous Snow, the ego-monster Lothario rock star invention from Forgetting Sarah Marshall.
His latest album is an unmitigated flop and the record label is in serious trouble. But when record company lackey Aaron Green (Jonah Hill) suggests resurrecting Snow’s career with a massive gig at LA’s Greek Theater, music boss Sergio (Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs) sees it as the only option to save the struggling label.
Aaron, a huge Snow fan, is assigned the task of collecting heroin addict Snow from his home in London and delivering him safely to the Greek Theater in three days. Sounds easy but the out-of-control Snow is anything but reliable and Aaron has his work cut out for him.
With hellraising detours in London, New York and Las Vegas, will Aaron get his rock star charge to the Greek on time?
The film manages to avoid being embarrassingly bad largely thanks to a Nicholas Stoller/Jason Segal-penned screenplay and the film’s two central performances.
Perfectly cast, Brand plays up to his womanising image and throws himself into the role with gusto, making him surprisingly watchable while Jonah Hill is a dependably funny sidekick.
A role for rap artist P Diddy shows off a real talent for comedy and an admirable and entertaining willingness to make a fool of himself. A cameo from Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich also pleases for his ability to self-mock.
Rose Byrne and Colm Meaney as Snow’s ex-girlfriend and his father let the side down with accents and cringe-making performances, while the film’s neat, happy ending is unsatisfying.
But although the humour can be near the knuckle and some of the scenes are mildly shocking, Get Him to the Greek has one big thing going for it – and that’s that it isn’t as terrible as you might expect.
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