In an age where any movie that makes a marginal profit gets a contract for at least two sequels, it’s only natural that the popular comedy “Swingers” would return for another round. Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn have done just that with “Made,” which opens in theaters July 13.
The movie follows the antics of two guys from L.A., Mike and Trent – er, Bobby and Ricky, as they fly across the country to indulge in New York’s seedy nightlife.
Favreau plays Bobby, an honest guy who works for a construction company by day and moonlights as an amateur boxer and bouncer for his stripper girlfriend (Famke Janssen) by night. He drives her to private gigs and valiantly protects her from drunk guys at bachelor parties.
Bobby plays straight man to Vaughn’s Ricky. Ricky epitomizes ignorance and obnoxiousness, which is funny for, oh, about 25 minutes before it becomes intolerably annoying.
By the end of the movie, Ricky’s personality even brings out the worst in Bobby. When Ricky is missing and mobsters say they took care of him, Bobby nods his head in understanding. Unfortunately for both Bobby and the audience, Ricky is not killed.
Bobby works for Max (Peter Falk), a mob boss who runs the construction company, as well as astripper ring and several private mob ventures. Max asks Bobby go to New York for a “drop.” Bobby vouches for Ricky, and Max hesitantly lets Ricky tag along.
“Made” yearns for the underlying new-age-mobster feel of “The Sopranos,” a show in which Favreau has guest-starred. Instead, the complicated mobster element is confusing. Neither Bobby nor Ricky knows what a drop is, and it’s no more comprehensible when it happens 70 minutes later.
Favreau, who also wrote and co-produced “Swingers,” acted as writer, director and producer for “Made.”
Although the movie boasts an impressive supporting cast, including Sean “Puffy” Combs, Falk and Janssen, their appearances are mere cameos, none lasting more than 10 minutes. With cameos being played off as larger roles, it’s a wonder Dustin Diamond, Screech of “Saved by the Bell” fame, wasn’t given higher billing for his one line.
The lack of a real supporting cast leaves the 95-minute film saturated with Bobby and Ricky. Anybody stuck with the same person for a long time will get angry enough to fight, which Bobby and Ricky do at least three times during the course of the movie – including the opening scene.
The movie is very funny, but only if seen in parts. When watched straight through – from the opening fight scene until the final credits – “Made” feels like Janssen’s five-year-old daughter.
As she intently watches animals mating on television, Favreau asks if she wants to go out. She turns and jumps into his arms to leave before he finishes his sentence. When the lights come on when the credits roll, the viewer feels the same urge to leave.
