Joe
Dirt (2001)
Totally inane yet oft times hilarious
David Spade vehicle. Here, Spade, infused with the
behind-the-scenes names that made Adam Sandler a cinematic
blockbuster star, brings us the insipid story of a
white-trash dumbass searching for his long-lost family.
Trouble is, Spade is too witty and intelligent to
ever be able to pull off a "dumbass" character.
Still, there are lots of amusing moments
here involving animal testicles, bad haircuts and
incest! Spade and his co- horts, including Fred Wolf
and Dennis Miller, also of "SNL" fame, do anything
to get a laugh. They succeed roughly 45% of the time.
Miller plays a hip LA DJ who has a morning show. One
of his cronies happens upon Spade's titular moron
and pulls him into the studio to be interviewed (i.e.
wittily and intelligently derided) by Miller in his
Milleresque style. This drab expositional device sets-up
the film for a series of flashback and Spade, or rather
Joe Dirt, tells his tale.
Infused with cameos and small roles
played by the likes of Kid Rock, Roseanna Arquette,
and Fred Ward, the film uses it's "name" cast well.
But it is Christopher Walken as a janitor who isn't
exactly what he seems to be who steals the show. Fans
of Walken will be wise to check this film out. They
will laugh their asses off at his performance. He's
great! And he even gets a chance to do a little soft
shoe.
"Joe Dirt" is dumb dumb dumb - but
funny. Anyone who was expecting anything else is the
real dumbass.
Note:
Scenes with Roseanne and Gary Busey
as Dirt's parents were deleted and re-shot (with new
cast members) because the actors refused to adhere
to the script.
Soundtrack features a ton of 70's and
80's hard rock.
