Ever think about making an escape? Ya know...just packing up and driving until you stumble upon your own little oasis that allows you to escape from this thing called life. You might find a haven that allows you to forget about your job, those annoying family members, that mortgage, in general the daily pressures and frustrations of an overly fast-paced existence. Or, you could just go see Wanderlust. At least, you won't have to pack much for the trip.
Meet George and Linda (Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston). They're very much part of fast-paced life in the mecca of fast-pace, New York City. Actually, they just spent a ton-o-dough on a new place--which has all the square footage of a shoebox and the price tag of a Trump Tower. It's all good, 'cause they're excited about life in the big city. That is, until the city that never sleeps rolls over on them. You see, George's company just got invaded by the Feds so he's jobless; and Linda's big video enterprise never latches on with HBO (there's something about violent deaths of cute creatures and testicular cancer among cute little penguins that just doesn't jive with the brass). So, for poor Linda, it's 'not TV...it's HBO' becomes it's nada, baby. On top of career flushes, the pair are forced to sell their "apartment", which sells for a fraction of what it was worth a week ago. This prompts the couple to head south to Atlanta, where George's obnoxiously pompous brother has a gift job for him.
On the way to Hotlanta, however, the couple stumble across their own version of heaven. A beautiful room and an incredibly free-spirited group of hippies led by Seth (Justin Theroux) provide that breath of fresh air that George and Linda so desperately need. It's apparently the life of Riley for one and all, with everything from music and exotic food to quirky personalities and recreational drugs. So, when things don't exactly work out for George as his brother's punching bag, our heroes head back to the commune--check that, 'involved community'. It's there that they decide to sit up shop. Trouble is found in that all-to-true saying, "Familiarity breeds contempt." That beautiful room is now a glorified closet, without so much as a door. That music...exotic food and those quirky personalities have quickly become freakishly annoying. Meanwhile, Seth sets his eyes on Linda with the goal of selling out the commune. Yadayadayada George and Seth battle it out in the midst of a crew reminiscent of Petticoat Junction, Green Acres and Desperate Housewives all rolled into one.
It's okay. I'll go with 3.0 Stars. There's are some clear-cut laugh out loud moments here that make this 98 minute journey to Hippie Town fairly enjoyable. It's that cast of characters that really set off this snowball rolling downhill. You've got Seth, the leader. He's a shaman wannabe who sees no need for the high gadgets of today--ya know, like CD's and VCR's. Plus, there's the naked guy, who makes his own wine between writing novels...the quirky peace-lovers, who think that clapping is far too violent...the new mommy who decides to keep the placenta and umbilical cord attached to her baby until it falls off naturally...and many others. Even Alan Alda, the commune's founder, favors a nicely entertaining role in this one.
All in all, to borrow a phrase from the city that sent George and Linda packing, it is what it is--a fun movie that makes a point: In life, your happiness is usually just as close to you as are your annoyances; it's all a matter of what you choose to focus on.
With that in mind, yeah...what the heck...see this one. It's fun enough to go BIG on or at least worth adding to your queue and renting when it comes out on Blu-Ray in June.
True...OUT!
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