Search - A Guy Thing on DVD

Ludicrously Hilarious

Lee Armstrong | Winterville, NC United States | 10/09/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Life is ludicrous from time to time. "A Guy Thing" is equally silly & absurd. It's mind numbing but funny. A moment I particularly like is when Paul Coleman (Jason Lee) is beaten up by Ray and thrown into a dumpster. His fiancee Karen (Selma Blair) happens along. Of course, being a guy trying to salvage some pride, he fabricates a story that he was brave despite being mugged. So when the police show up, his description of the perpetrator gets more & more bizarre. "What was his race?" the officer asks. Lee looks puzzled. "Was he black or white?" "A little of both." "And he had red hair, in dreadlocks, with a gold tooth, and a tattoo of barbed wire around his neck." Paul of course thinks that no one will match that description only to wind up at a line-up where Hansberry played by Victor Varnado stands there, part black, part white, red hair, dreadlocks, with a gold tooth & a tattoo of barbed wire around his neck. "Oh, it's not him!" Lee yells. It's stupid; but it's hilarious.Director Chris Koch previously directed "Snow Day" with Jean Smart & Chevy Chase. He does a good job of keeping the pace moving from one intensely ridiculous occurrence to the next. Julia Stiles shines. She is so funny, sweet and sincere. The fact that Jason Lee is 10 years older than she doesn't dull the romance. Mr. Barbra Streisand, otherwise known as James Brolin, does a great job as Karen's macho dad. Selma Blair who was great in "Cruel Intentions" and "Legally Blonde" does a good job as his fiancee.I also like the wonderful moments given to the supporting players. Diana Scarwid who was nominated for an Oscar in 1980 for playing with John Savage in "Inside Moves" and was Faye Dunaway's abused daughter in the Joan Crawford biopic "Mommie Dearest" looks elegant as the mother of the bride. Julie Haggerty who was so funny in the "Airplane" movies is the other mom. Her film hubby here is the grossly unmannered Buck played by David Koechner who can currently be seen in "My Boss' Daughter." Thomas Lennon from "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" is wonderful as the starry-eyed brother who eventually walks away with Karen. Canadian actress Jackie Burroughs who was in "Willard" is hilarious as Irish Aunt Budgie who will stop at nothing to sneak a glass of wine. Lochlyn Munro from "Dead On Campus," "Duets," and "A Night at the Roxbury" plays the boneheaded ex-boyfriend of Julia Stiles. Even a couple of walk-ons are extremely memorable. Keith Dallas is the Spend Mart clerk who covers on the phone for a complete stranger about a pair of used underwear supposedly purchased from their underwear bins by saying, "It's those college kids who keep playing pranks by coming here and sticking dirty underwear in our underwear bins." He hangs up & explains, "It's a guy thing." Zahf Paroo is delightful as the perky Ahmed who is joyfully exuberant while Lee & Lennon get fitted for their tuxes.The DVD offers some good bonus scenes, one in particular where Karen wants to have sex with Jason the night before their wedding. Jason unfortunately can't because he's wearing a police wire trying to catch the dirty cop Ray. It didn't fit in the movie, but is more hilarity. The comments on bachelor parties are funny with Lennon relating a 4-day bachelor party in Amsterdam he attended. Cast members then comment on his wild story.Yes, "A Guy Thing" is utterly silly & ultimately forgettable. I've rented it twice, not recalling I'd already seen it. But it is a good time while it's going on. Kind of like life, eh? Enjoy!"

You get what you pay for.

Jimmy B | 04/19/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Contrary to the overly critical reviews posted on this site, this film is enjoyable. It is predictable, yes. But so are all the rest of the films in this genre. If you want the next Citizen Kane, then I'd question why you're looking for it in a contemporary Romantic Comedy.That said the film is decidedly average. Jason Lee sets a different tone as the leading man. He's a joy to watch but seems slightly out of place throughout. He manages to pull it off in this film, but just barely. Julia Stiles was a good counter-point to Lee's charm. Her understated performance seemed to match Lee every step of the way. Together they almost make you believe some of the more unbelieveable aspects of the film. The soundtrack is quite nice as well. Filled with songs by some of the better rock groups around, such as Wilco and Spoon. As previously stated, the plot is rather predictable. However it is standard in the tradition of romantic comedies and shouldn't count against the film. It's an average film with that considered."