Pro/Con Movie Review: The Goods

I'll take a chance on almost any Ferrel/McKay product. In addition to Anchorman and Step Brothers, the duo gave us Eastbound and Down, the best new comedy of the last year. But for every two winners, there's the occasional Land of the Lost. Although, in fairness to the duo, they usually are not involved in the shaping of Ferrell's recent stinkers (I'm talking to you too, Semi-Pro).

So, naturally I was willing to catch a showing of The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard. After all, it's Neal Brennan's directorial debut and if he brought 1/2 of the vision he brought to Chapelle's Show, then it would be in decent shape.

Pros:

• Katheryn Hahn bringing hilarious sexual energy.
• The Daily Show alums pulling their weight (Ed Helms playing a nimwit boybander, Rob Riggle as 10 year old with pituitary problem).
• A handful of comedic that-guys.
• A Ferrell cameo, albeit not his best, but a cameo.
• Yet Another paycheck for Ken Jeong.

Cons:

• Piven's got nothing.
• Seriously, Piven brings nothing to the role.
• The story is formulaic and predictable.
• Under-utilized comedic all-stars.
• Hahn being relegated to a bit part.
• Lame-o joke writing.
• Have I mentioned that Piven did nothing for this film?

While it wasn't an abomination, it wasn't anything I'd consider rewatching like some of its other Ferrell/McKay brethren. The biggest disappointment was that Piven just repurposed a lamer, more crude Ari Gold. It felt and looked like a paycheck part. It also made me question whether Piven can be a leading man, even in a screwball comedy. He was more charming and believable in his first comedy lead, PCU, than he was in this film 15 years later. I'll let this one slide for Ferrell/McKay and even Brennan, but I probably won't get behind any more Piven lead films any time soon.