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Every now and then, a certain Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic from Chicago, who shall remain nameless, feels honor-bound to defend a good review for a movie he knows will probably not get a great response otherwise. Since he is one of my idols, I don’t feel so bad about emulating his behavior.
The best gauge of whether or not a film works is how well it achieves what it sets out to do. "Blades of Glory" is astonishingly silly, but I’m pretty sure that’s its goal.
Will Ferrell and Jon Heder play Chazz Michael Michaels and Jimmy MacElroy, respectively. Both were top figure skaters in 2002 and they hate each other’s guts. When they tie for first in the Olympics, they get into a vicious fight and are banned for life from the sport. But someone finds a loophole that allows them to compete as a pair, and they decide to put aside the past and go for the gold. Well, sorta.
I must admit, I have never been a huge Ferrell fan. He’s like the class clown who thinks he’s a lot funnier than he is. I’m not saying I’m planning to join his fan club, but he’s brilliant in "Blades," giving a fearless, flawless comic performance. His character is every macho jerk you’ve ever met times 20. Heder, whose perpetually goofy demeanor allows for perfect comic timing, also is great.
"Blades" reminded me of a Farrelly brothers comedy, with a little less edge and heart. The creators behind "There’s Something About Mary" and "Dumb and Dumber" are known for juxtaposing mercilessly dark, comic visions with real sympathy for their characters. "Blades," directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck, fully exploits every possible opportunity for a laugh. There are too many hilarious highlights to mention them all, but I particularly loved the chase scene. Anyone who has ever tried to walk on skates will be in stitches.
There has always been a bias against comedies. Sure, people will pay the big bucks, but come Oscar time they tend to get shortchanged. I highly doubt "Blades" will get any nominations — nor should it. But it delivers exactly what it promises. Gold medals all around for this hilarious movie.
Blades of Glory
PG-13
Three-and-a-half reels out of four
In area theaters tomorrow
Recommended rental
Volver
R
Available Tuesday
Penelope Cruz received her first Oscar nomination as Raimunda, a woman who lives in Madrid. After her husband is murdered, she tries to conceal the body with her daughter’s help. In the midst of this, Raimunda’s mother Irene (Carmen Maura) returns to try to fix the family. The only problem is, Irene died with her husband in a fire years ago. Is she a ghost or just a woman who looks like Raimunda’s mom?
This mysterious film about family, death and love was written and directed by Pedro Almodovar.
