Bad Words (2014) Directed by Jason Bateman. Starring: Jason Bateman, Kathryn Hahn, & Rohan Chand. IMDB says: “A spelling bee loser sets out to exact revenge by finding a loophole and attempting to win as an adult.”
In the subgenre of comedies about complete assholes who shamelessly say whatever the hell they want, as horrible or offensive as possible, Bad Words easily fits in and amuses. Jason Bateman plays Guy Trilby, a 40-year-old man that is competing in the Golden Quill Spelling Bee under a rule technicality. This is bound to ruffle the feathers of the parents of the bright young competitors, but Guy’s foul mouth and irreverent behavior do not help. Well, it helps the viewer laugh, cringe, and drop their jaws at times, but you know what I mean.
Where the movie really shines is Guy’s reluctant friendship with fellow competitor Chaitanya (played adorably by Rohan Chand). The kid pesters him until Guy gives in and shows Chaitanya a good time/parent’s worst nightmare. He coaxes the kid to participate in his bad language and behavior and it’s hilarious (sorry cute kids saying fuck gets me I guess). Chand was fantastic and I’d love to see more from him. In a less noteworthy supporting role is Kathryn Hahn as a disheveled journalist writing a story on why Guy’s even doing this. However, I’m always down whenever she shows up in anything so no issue there.
The first half of this movie is aces, with Guy’s relentless assholery (his attempts at sabotaging the kids are amazing) but in the second half, the movie softens a bit too much for me. There’s an interesting reason as to why Guy is doing this ridiculous stunt, but it also tries to give the movie some heart. Maybe I’m a bastard, but I would have been cool with it keeping up the edge, and just thinking this guy was a huge jerk for the sake of it. It’s still funny enough to be worth the watch, but it lost some points as it went along for trying too hard to be super offensive while towing the sentimental line.
As Bateman’s directorial debut, it leaves a good impression. For this type of movie, the direction is certainly a step above the rest. It looks quite nice and not so commercial. Seeing Bateman be this dirty and detestable is one of his best performances. He’s known for playing a very similar type, and this break is very welcome. It makes Bad Words well worth the watch, even if it doesn’t succeed entirely.
