10/25/06 Partner(s)

Partner(s) (2005), directed by Dave Diamond

watched w/ Leslie; DVD rental (Netflix) @ home & car ride (Raleigh, NC)

Tonight's selection is a special choice in regards to the supporting actor's role in the film, rather than the seemingly tired plot of wacky indiscretions. You see, this evening, Leslie & I will be going to see a wonderful stand-up show of two former members of the illustrious (ok, not so illustrious but brilliant underground comedy troupe whose members would go on to do much more illustrious things in the future) MTV comedy group "The State". I know I've referenced this troupe before, in having watched earlier this year the lovably quirky "The Baxter" and seen the oddities abound in such flicks as "Wet Hot American Summer," but this film is the best option we could hope for on such short notice. The members of the troupe that I speak of include the supporting actor in the film and headliner for this evening's show Michael Ian Black (also of VH1's "I Love The 80's, etc." anecdotal fame, and Leslie's crush) and his "Stella" buddy Michael Showalter. Undoubtedly the two comedians' performances will be hilarious later, but for now let's get back to the matter at hand of seeing one's acting abilities on screen. In our film "Partner(s)" we have an enterprising young lawyer who will attempt almost anything to try and land partner status at the lofty city law firm that he currently works at. When it seems he will be passed up for promotion in favor of a female colleague (and ex-girlfriend), the guy searches for the edge that will help him land this important job. It just so happens that the guy's best friend and roommate Christopher (Michael Ian Black) is a gay man, which leads to the mistaken identity that the two men are a couple...and is the perfect "chic" edge that he needs to generate a buzz and swing the vote in his favor. Much to the chagrin of parents, and the surprise of former girlfriends, the guy is a hot commodity, and he must work to keep up the charade. The ex-girlfriend is not fooled by his ruse, and wages a battle to expose him for his lies...but another matter makes it hard for him to come clean...yup, he falls for the boss' hot daughter (who believes him to be gay, and not in it for the you-know-what). With the lies becoming more complex, and the lessons soon to be learned...and the supporting actor trying his best to make the film fun...we end up in the same scenarios we always do with these type of films. I'm not gonna lie, it was at times amusing and sweet-hearted. I think the real answer is that I was just waiting around to see Black and Showalter in person for their more edgy (and less conventionally edgy) stand-up routines. Bring on the comedy. And as Leslie said, he's not as cute in person (but funny nonetheless).

3 out of 5 stars