Wet Hot American Summer

Directed by David Wain and written by Wain and Michael Showalter, Wet Hot American Summer is the story about a group of people attending a Jewish summer camp as they’re all hoping to do something on the camp’s last day. Set in 1981, the film is an exploration into nostalgia as well as adulthood and finding love. Starring Janeane Garafalo, David Hyde Pierce, Michael Showalter, Michael Ian Black, Marguerite Moreau, Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Bradley Cooper, Molly Shannon, Zak Orth, Amy Poehler, A.D. Miles, and Christopher Meloni. Wet Hot American Summer is a hilarious and heartfelt comedy from David Wain.

The film is essentially the story about a camp director and several staff members at a Jewish summer camp as they spend their last day looking for love or deal with their own issues in the course of an entire day. In this day, a lot happens surrounding many characters as they each hope to give this last day something for themselves and the kids to remember. There’s the camp director Beth (Janeane Garafalo) who falls for an associate astrophysics professor named Henry (David Hyde Pierce) as they both are unsure how to express their attraction towards one another. Meanwhile, a young camp counselor in Coop (Michael Showalter) has a crush on another camp counselor in Katie (Marguerite Moreau) who is dating the unfaithful Andy (Paul Rudd).

While the script that David Wain and Michael Showalter doesn’t have much of a traditional structure in order to leave room for the actors to improvise and do things that has nothing to do with any big storylines. Its lack of plot does allow the script to focus on the characters and their own desires to find love or something that can make their last day at camp a great one. A lot of which involved with people all finding something whether it’s the arts and crafts teacher Gail (Molly Shannon) dealing with her divorce, talent show director Gail (Amy Poehler) trying to create the best show, a shell-shocked Vietnam veteran in chef Gene (Christopher Meloni) dealing with demons, or a counselor in Victor (Ken Marino) trying to score with one of the counselors in Abby (Marisa Ryan).

Wain’s direction is quite straightforward in terms of compositions yet he does display a sense of looseness in the way he directs actors in a scene. Notably as he would create moments that do play into the idea of summer camp where it’s all about doing silly things as well trying to capture the sense of innocence that occurs in summer camp. While there’s a lot of storylines that occur between many characters, Wain does ensure that he finds the time to let many individual stories unfold while adding bits of humor to occur. Sometimes, there’s humor that is absurd in a few sequences which does lead to the climatic talent show where a lot happens. Overall, Wain creates a very funny comedy about the joys and exuberance of one entire day at a Jewish summer camp in 1981.

Cinematographer Ben Weinstein does excellent work with the film‘s colorful photography to display the beauty of the locations set in Maine to capture the beauty of the summer. Editor Meg Reticker does nice work with the editing by creating some unique rhythmic cutting to play out some of the comedy that occurs including a hilarious montage of what some of the camp people do outside of camp. Production designer Mark White, along with set decorator Lisa Scoppa and art director Bryan Hodge, does fantastic work with the look of the summer camp as well as some of the cars to make it look like it‘s 1981.

Costume designer Jill Kliber does great work with the costumes as a lot of it is casual as well as ragged to play out what people would wear in 1981. Sound editor Stephen Altobello does very good work with the sound to capture the energy and atmosphere of the activities that occur in camp. The film’s music by Theodore Shapiro and Craig Wedren is a real delight with its mixture of folk-based music and upbeat rock to play out the sense of nostalgia. Music supervisors Alison Chernick and Paul Parreira create a wonderful soundtrack that features music from Loverboy, KISS, Jefferson Starship, Kenny Loggins, and Rick Springfield.

The casting by Susie Farris is incredible for the rich ensemble that is created for this film. Notable small roles include Judah Friedlander as Gail’s ex-husband, Nina Hellman as the camp nurse Nancy, Kevin Sussman as the eccentric wannabe robot Steve, Joe Lo Truglio as the counselor Neil, Marisa Ryan as the slutty Abby, Samm Levine as the voice of the radio broadcaster Arty, and H. Jon Benjamin as the voice of a mixed vegetables can. Other noteworthy yet funny performances include Elizabeth Banks as the very sexy counselor Lindsay, Molly Shannon as the heartbroken arts and crafts teacher Gail, Amy Poehler as the obsessive drama teacher Susie, Bradley Cooper as Susie’s drama associate Ben, A.D. Miles as Gene’s apprentice Gary, Zak Orth as the fun-loving counselor J.J., and Ken Marino as the sex-obsessed Victor who hopes to get laid at the end of the day.

Michael Ian Black is funny as the very secretive McKinley whom J.J. and Gary wonder what he does and try to get him laid. Christopher Meloni is hilarious as the shell-shocked chef Gene who always says some very crazy things as he is complete denial about his issues. Marguerite Moreau is wonderful as Katie who finds herself connecting with Coop as she is having issues with Andy. Paul Rudd is awesome as the somewhat douchy Andy as he is a guy that just wants to be cool yet treats Katie very poorly. Michael Showalter is delightful as the socially-awkward Coop who tries to woo Katie while doing whatever to win her heart. David Hyde Pierce is fantastic as the astrophysics associate professor Henry who falls for Beth as he tries to find a way to win her while connecting with the kids at the camp. Janeane Garafalo is terrific as Beth as she tries to deal with the chaos of the camp while trying to win over Henry by studying astrophysics.

Wet Hot American Summer is a marvelous comedy from David Wain. Featuring a brilliant ensemble cast and lots of hilarious moments, it’s a film that truly captures the spirit of life during a summer camp. It’s also a film that isn’t afraid to be absurd or off-the-wall while finding time to be sweet and full of heart. In the end, Wet Hot American Summer is an extraordinary film from David Wain.

David Wain Films: (The Ten) - (Role Models) - (Wanderlust)

© thevoid99 2013

Ratatouille

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 7/9/07 w/ Additional Edits.

Known for his work in animation for such films as The Iron Giant and 2004's Pixar-animated film The Incredibles. Brad Bird is considered to be one of the best film animators for Pixar and Disney. In 2007, Bird returns with his third directorial feature about a rat who dreams of becoming a chef entitled Ratatouille. Directed by Bird and Jan Pinkava based on Bird's script with additional story credits to Pinkava, Jim Capobianco, Emily Cook, and Kathy Greenberg. Ratatouille is about a rat in Paris who wants to be a chef. Helping a garbage boy to become a chef with the help of his late idol, they must contend with the changes of the restaurant as its head chef sells out to make Gusteau's name profitable with frozen foods. With a voice cast that includes Patton Oswalt, Lou Romano, Brad Garrett, Janeane Garofalo, Ian Holm, Will Arnett, James Remar, Brian Dennehy, Pixar regular John Ratzenberger, and the legendary Peter O'Toole. Ratatouille is a marvelous yet imaginative film from Brad Bird and Pixar Studios.

For all of his life as a rat from the French countryside, Remy (Patton Oswalt) longs to be a chef as he has a gift of smelling exotic foods and herbs. While he lives with a colony of rats including his older brother Emile (Peter Sohn) and their father Django (Brian Dennehy). Remy wants to cook as his hero is the legendary Chef Gusteau (Brad Garrett) who has been inspirational in the art of cooking. During an attempt to steal food, the house owner discovers rats as the colony flee while Remy gets lost during his run. Landing in Paris and with Gusteau's spirit revolving around him, Remy arrives at Gusteau's famed restaurant that is now run by his former sous-chef Skinner (Ian Holm).

Arriving at Gusteau's restaurant is a young man named Linguini (Lou Romano) who becomes the cleaning boy for the restaurant. During a mess-up, he tries to fix the soup forcing Remy to take control as he finally gets the soup to be good as he's discovered by Linguini. Realizing that this little rat was the one who fixed the soup and had cooking talent, Linguini takes him in while Skinner is wondering about Linguini as Gusteau's restaurant is getting excellent reviews again. Skinner has Linguini to be taught by one of the restaurant's chefs in Colette (Janeane Garafalo) who teaches him how to act like a chef as Remy pulls Linguini's hair to control his movements. With Remy taking control of Linguini, they help restore some of the lost acclaim of Gusteau's restaurant as it reaches the attention of the notorious food critic Anton Ego (Peter O'Toole).

After finding his old colony, Remy reluctantly leaves to help Linguini though he gets visits from Emile and other rats for food. Yet, Linguini becomes infatuated with Colette as his family secret comes out much to the delight of the press and Skinner's dismay. When Ego wants to return to Gusteau's to see if the restaurant's hype is true, Linguini feels intimidated. With Skinner discovering about Remy, it takes a few people and a colony of rats to help out Remy and Linguini to win over Ego.

The concept of a rat wanting to become a great chef in Paris restaurants is one that is definitely universal to all audiences. It's a concept that the film's original director Jan Pinkava had been trying to create for years until being replaced by Brad Bird who uses Pinkava's core story to create a film that is unique. Bird's script and direction is truly a marvel about a dreamer who wants to prove that his gift for smelling great food and cooking talents shouldn't be limited because he's a rat. While it's clear that being a rat, especially in a restaurant is a bad thing to chefs. Yet, it's the story about a chef that wants to cook that really shows the heart of the film.

Bird's knack for drama and comedy is wonderful, especially physical comedy concerning not just Linguini but also Skinner during a chase scene he has with Remy. It's humor that isn't dirty or too clean but one that is universal to all kinds of audiences. Through his direction, the film has a unique look through its animation that it has a nice balance of drama and comedy. The drama is told with subtlety in themes of family and loyalty. Yet, the film is really about dreamers as there is no character that is loveable as Remy.

The animation is unique, largely due to the original sculptures and concept of Jan Pinkava. Each character has a unique look to their personalities from the human characters including Anton Ego who looks very cold and such or Skinner, a small man with a devilish face. The animation and visual effects is very wonderful without having the audience recognize whose face is the voice. Something that some computer-animated films make the mistake of like in Shark Tale. The animation is also brilliant in the way it captures the look of Paris.

Cinematographers Robert Anderson and Sharon Calahan along with production designer Harley Jessup create a wonderful look to Paris where it has a feel and look to the city that is imaginative. While it's more colorful to the some of the more live-action films that show Paris, it just has a look that will make anyone want to visit the place. Even the look of the food including the dishes look delicious. Editor Darren T. Holmes brings a wonderfully rhythmic feel to the film to create an energy and style that brings excitement to the film's humor and drama. It also has moments of intensity through moments of action that is not seen much in most animated films. Sound editor Michael Silvers also does fantastic work for the film's sound with the sounds of pots, fires, and everything that is expected in a kitchen.

Then there's the amazing film score of Michael Giacchino. Easily one of the best film scores this year, Giacchino's score definitely has variety. Whether it's the serene sounds of Paris through accordions to more comical scores that has jazz notes and rhythms. Even the original song he wrote for French pop singer Camille is memorable for the atmosphere that is Paris. Giacchino's score is filled with flourishes of orchestral arrangements to convey the drama while mixing it with jazz for the film's more intense action sequences.

The film's cast is wonderfully assembled with memorable characters along with cast of actors for the voices that are unique. Smaller roles ranging from Pixar regular John Ratzenberger as head waiter Mustafa, Will Arnett as sous-chef Horst, James Remar as appetizer chef Larousse, and Teddy Newton as Skinner's lawyer are all memorable with their witty humor. Notably Ratzenberger as the nervous Mustafa and Arnett as Horst who has extravagant claims about his behavior. Dual performances from Julius Callahan and Tony Fucile are great with Callahan playing fish chef Lalo and Skinner's businessman Francois. Fucile does double duty in playing pastry chef Pompidou and the health inspector called upon by Skinner. Another dual performance but for smaller parts come from director Brad Bird as a narrator of cheese and as Ego's assistant. Jake Steinfeld also has a wonderful small part as Git, a beefed up rat who is one of Emile's friends.

Brad Garrett is great as the voice of Gusteau with all of his witty charm and inspirational wisdom with an accent that fits the personality of Gusteau. Ian Holm is wonderful for the devilish Skinner who sells out the name of Gusteau to make money when his own plans are derailed. Holm just brings a lot of humor to the villainous character. Janeane Garafalo also goes French as the tough Colette who believes in perfection and everything that lives up to the Gusteau name. Garafalo is funny and sweet in her voice portrayal. Lou Romano is great in voicing the young, clumsy Linguini who knows he doesn't have talents while trying to find his niche in the restaurant he's working for. Peter Sohn is very funny as the rat Emile who pretty much likes to eat anything while causing trouble for Remy.

Brian Dennehy is excellent as Django, Remy's father who tries to understand his son's gift while revealing his own mistrust towards humans and stuff. Dennehy brings the right sense of fraternal comfort and realism to that character. The legendary Peter O'Toole shines in what has to be one of his best voice roles as Anton Ego. While his voice might be recognizable to cinephiles and adult audiences, O'Toole truly brings a coldness and humorless that is the character of Anton Ego as a man who loves food, but like isn't good enough for him. It's a fantastic performance from the legendary actor. Patton Oswalt is great in the voice of Remy bringing a great mix of humor, drama, and sensitivity to a character dreamers can relate to. Oswalt's voice-over narration also works in how he observes the situations and everything including how he interacts with the spirit of Gusteau.

While it's definitely superior to some of the Disney/Pixar releases like last year's Cars, Ratatouille is definitely not just one of the best Disney/Pixar films but also the year's best family film. Brad Bird and company truly made a film that kids will definitely enjoy as well as older audiences. It's funny, it's got a great look, it's got some nice drama, wonderful action, and everything that guarantees its entertainment value. In the end, Ratatouille is a superb yet gorgeous film from Brad Bird and Pixar.

Pixar Films: Toy Story - A Bug's Life - Toy Story 2 - (Monsters, Inc.) - (Finding Nemo) - The Incredibles - Cars - WALL-E - Up - Toy Story 3 - Cars 2 - Brave - Monsters University - Inside Out - The Good Dinosaur - (Finding Dory) - (Cars 3) - Coco - Incredibles 2 - Toy Story 4 - (Onward) - Soul (2020 film) - (Luca (2021 film)) - Turning Red - (Lightyear) - (Elemental (2023 film)) - Inside Out 2 - (Elio) – (Toy Story 5)

© thevoid9 2011