69 reviews
A great film being held down by a mediocre one
- StevePulaski
- May 7, 2015
- Permalink
I can't in all good conscience say this is a particularly good movie, but you won't forget it.
It is really hard to know quite what to make of this movie. I am inclined to think it's a hair away from being a masterpiece or just trash.
I usually don't pay too much attention to which actors are or aren't in something, or rather usually I prefer to not recognize any actors, but the presence of Jack Black in here gives it a certain credibility, and his impeccable comic timing makes this that much more palatable.
A very dark story about how much of our identity hinges on who were were as youths and how our lives go down hill from there. The plot demands that you believe that a class reunion could be that much of a big deal. It throws its own hands up at one point and tries to hand wave a plot hole by making it an oversight by the main character but it's still just a plot hole.
Things take a very awkward turn half way through in a way I did not see coming. It's an intentionally discomforting movie where things can get quite excruciating. It's a tricky balancing act, not going over board with that kind of thing and overall this movie, despite its intelligent armoury of characterisation and nuance, doesn't quite pull its ambitious story off. Having said that I'm very glad this movie found its audience there were people who could get out of this movie the very particular thing it had to give.
It rather smugly ends thinking it's resolved all it characters problems but it hasn't.
I usually don't pay too much attention to which actors are or aren't in something, or rather usually I prefer to not recognize any actors, but the presence of Jack Black in here gives it a certain credibility, and his impeccable comic timing makes this that much more palatable.
A very dark story about how much of our identity hinges on who were were as youths and how our lives go down hill from there. The plot demands that you believe that a class reunion could be that much of a big deal. It throws its own hands up at one point and tries to hand wave a plot hole by making it an oversight by the main character but it's still just a plot hole.
Things take a very awkward turn half way through in a way I did not see coming. It's an intentionally discomforting movie where things can get quite excruciating. It's a tricky balancing act, not going over board with that kind of thing and overall this movie, despite its intelligent armoury of characterisation and nuance, doesn't quite pull its ambitious story off. Having said that I'm very glad this movie found its audience there were people who could get out of this movie the very particular thing it had to give.
It rather smugly ends thinking it's resolved all it characters problems but it hasn't.
- GiraffeDoor
- Mar 25, 2019
- Permalink
jack: please do something more serious
3 and under are reserved for movies in which the acting is garbage. the acting in this movie is good.
the movie is the problem.
jack black has chops, but they're wasted in this movie. mr. marsden also sells it. the acting isn't what's wrong with this movie. what's wrong is: what? why did we, the audience, just watch this? it was everywhere, all over the place, and had no landing. it just sort of was.
in a few weeks someone will be talking to me about the movie about that guy at the reunion where he got buttf*cked, and i'll say: "Idunno man. Idunno what you're talking about." Then he'll mention Jack Black, and I'll say, "Oh, I think there was a Netflix thing that sucked where he was a salesman of some kind, and that dude from the transgender show who is really popular was his boss." we'll both agree that that's the movie we both saw, then we'll go back to our desks.
the end.
that's where this ends.
the movie is the problem.
jack black has chops, but they're wasted in this movie. mr. marsden also sells it. the acting isn't what's wrong with this movie. what's wrong is: what? why did we, the audience, just watch this? it was everywhere, all over the place, and had no landing. it just sort of was.
in a few weeks someone will be talking to me about the movie about that guy at the reunion where he got buttf*cked, and i'll say: "Idunno man. Idunno what you're talking about." Then he'll mention Jack Black, and I'll say, "Oh, I think there was a Netflix thing that sucked where he was a salesman of some kind, and that dude from the transgender show who is really popular was his boss." we'll both agree that that's the movie we both saw, then we'll go back to our desks.
the end.
that's where this ends.
- drake-harbinger
- Apr 8, 2017
- Permalink
An unexpected surprise
This film tells the story of a man who enthusiastically organises a high school reunion, but unfortunately is not very popular. He becomes fixated on getting the most popular guy in high school to attend the high school reunion, but one lie after another, things get out of hand.
"The D Train" has an ambiguous title, and does not prepare me for the emotional drama that lie ahead. On the comedy side, the film is quite funny as Jack Black has to cover one lie with a bigger lie. His boss being technology illiterate is also quite funny.
I am very impressed by the dramatic side of this film, because jealousy is a hard emotion to portray on screen. The manifestations of a jealous heart is plain and well portrayed in here, making me care for Jack Black's character and his wife as well. James Marsden is very charming as the guy who is able to make anyone fall for him. He makes the story believable. I really enjoyed "The D Train", which is quite unexpected.
"The D Train" has an ambiguous title, and does not prepare me for the emotional drama that lie ahead. On the comedy side, the film is quite funny as Jack Black has to cover one lie with a bigger lie. His boss being technology illiterate is also quite funny.
I am very impressed by the dramatic side of this film, because jealousy is a hard emotion to portray on screen. The manifestations of a jealous heart is plain and well portrayed in here, making me care for Jack Black's character and his wife as well. James Marsden is very charming as the guy who is able to make anyone fall for him. He makes the story believable. I really enjoyed "The D Train", which is quite unexpected.
Insufferable, unfunny, dis-likable Tish.....
- FlashCallahan
- Aug 22, 2015
- Permalink
Less than the sum of it's parts...
...Which is odd, to say the least.
If you love film, you'll find something to take from this. If it's just simple entertainment you seek, best look elsewhere.
It's a puzzler - read some of the polarising reviews - in a way, it reminded me of Jim Carrey in 'The Cable Guy'; you don't get what you expect, and that can be a shock to some, and a boon to others.
Interestingly, and unexpectedly, I now think more of Jack Black - mayhap he just hasn't had the right vehicle to stretch his talents fully in, yet.
It's never going to make the pantheon, but it does have some things of merit; not least of which is the ability to make you cringe whilst not looking away. The how-can-it-possibly-be-resolved expectation is uncomfortably high.
I liked it; the discomfort, as it dawns on you, is tremendous and it walks its' line well - not subtle, but hey - I imagine the studio execs having a nightmare trying to decide how to market this. Whether it dawns on you, or slaps you in the face, will depend...
Once you've watched it, just think on that for a minute - because that vapid 'Tries to get reunion together' rubbish just doesn't cover it, does it?
Loved the soundtrack - especially the INXS lyricism - and some of the lines were priceless. (Lawnchairs)
I liked it. I feel the ending was rushed a little, but then, how else to cover bases?
If you love film, you'll find something to take from this. If it's just simple entertainment you seek, best look elsewhere.
It's a puzzler - read some of the polarising reviews - in a way, it reminded me of Jim Carrey in 'The Cable Guy'; you don't get what you expect, and that can be a shock to some, and a boon to others.
Interestingly, and unexpectedly, I now think more of Jack Black - mayhap he just hasn't had the right vehicle to stretch his talents fully in, yet.
It's never going to make the pantheon, but it does have some things of merit; not least of which is the ability to make you cringe whilst not looking away. The how-can-it-possibly-be-resolved expectation is uncomfortably high.
I liked it; the discomfort, as it dawns on you, is tremendous and it walks its' line well - not subtle, but hey - I imagine the studio execs having a nightmare trying to decide how to market this. Whether it dawns on you, or slaps you in the face, will depend...
Once you've watched it, just think on that for a minute - because that vapid 'Tries to get reunion together' rubbish just doesn't cover it, does it?
Loved the soundtrack - especially the INXS lyricism - and some of the lines were priceless. (Lawnchairs)
I liked it. I feel the ending was rushed a little, but then, how else to cover bases?
How are people saying this is funny?
OK for starters the movie was bad I mean really bad I figured it would be funny with Jeffrey Tambor and Kathryn Hahn. But no it was quite possibly the worst movie ever made. The story was just pathetic the acting was bad there was nothing in this movie that was redeeming at all.
Either all you people rating it worked on the movie or your Homosexual and just vote happy that there's a movie out there for you. Worst movie ever I guess Tambor was OK but he doesn't get nearly enough screen time its just full of really bad jack black acting.
Oh also there's nothing funny in this movie you will get to the end and be like WTF did I just watch then like me you will be angry cause you where misled by all the IMDb reviews claiming its OK.
Also if you want to hate on my review feel free but please add why its funny and why the acting didn't suck and why the storyline wasn't abysmal.
Never bothered to write on IMDb but this movie was so bad that i found it was my duty as a human to warn other people away from it so they don't buy into the IMDb Fake reviews.
Either all you people rating it worked on the movie or your Homosexual and just vote happy that there's a movie out there for you. Worst movie ever I guess Tambor was OK but he doesn't get nearly enough screen time its just full of really bad jack black acting.
Oh also there's nothing funny in this movie you will get to the end and be like WTF did I just watch then like me you will be angry cause you where misled by all the IMDb reviews claiming its OK.
Also if you want to hate on my review feel free but please add why its funny and why the acting didn't suck and why the storyline wasn't abysmal.
Never bothered to write on IMDb but this movie was so bad that i found it was my duty as a human to warn other people away from it so they don't buy into the IMDb Fake reviews.
Poor comedy, but solid drama
Another mislabeled movie... So no wonder that people who expected to have mindless fun watching Jack Black in a typical comic role he used to play many times before and James Marsden in a role similar to the ones he played brilliantly in Sex drive or Death at a funeral, got unexpectedly hit with quite dark theme with no many things to laugh at and disappointed. At first, I was disappointed too, but somewhere at the middle I realized that the movie it self is good, that the theme is important and that above mentioned (but all the others too) actors did amazing job. I blame the marketing of this movie, poster, but you too dear IMDb for providing wrong info on a movie category and misleading synopsis. So, in conclusion - as a comedy, this one is quite bad, but as a drama, it's very nicely done.
- silmaril-6
- Aug 22, 2015
- Permalink
Just a sad movie that lacks
- vbraun_vlb
- May 7, 2015
- Permalink
Better than I expected it to be
In all honesty, when I saw that Jack Black and James Marsden had made a movie together I thought: "oh this might be cool", because I like both of them.
But when I read the plot summary: "The head of the high school reunion committee has to persuade the most popular guy in school to join them in the reunion" my expectations fell way down to the floor.
The idea of a high shcool reunion is really not something I would even bother going to due to many different things so it lost me in the relation to the material factor and it just didn't sound like a very good premise for a movie.
And in a sense it isn't, and it didn't pull me in right away but eventually once James Marsden got into the picture it did and became a lot different from what I expected of the movie, it actually became rather moving in the end.
It's a movie that deals with identity, popularity, sexuality and parenthood and it does so in quite an unusual rather non PC way so if you are a prude you might not appreciate some of the events taking place, I however did and thought it was a breath of fresh air.
But when I read the plot summary: "The head of the high school reunion committee has to persuade the most popular guy in school to join them in the reunion" my expectations fell way down to the floor.
The idea of a high shcool reunion is really not something I would even bother going to due to many different things so it lost me in the relation to the material factor and it just didn't sound like a very good premise for a movie.
And in a sense it isn't, and it didn't pull me in right away but eventually once James Marsden got into the picture it did and became a lot different from what I expected of the movie, it actually became rather moving in the end.
It's a movie that deals with identity, popularity, sexuality and parenthood and it does so in quite an unusual rather non PC way so if you are a prude you might not appreciate some of the events taking place, I however did and thought it was a breath of fresh air.
- Seth_Rogue_One
- Nov 16, 2015
- Permalink
Jack Black: Please read this review, save your career!
A great movie but painful to watch
I Agree With Pulaski -- Almost Terrific but chickens out
Pitiful - don't bother
- lbdurrette
- Jan 31, 2016
- Permalink
Worst movie of all time.
I am slightly disappointed that I can not reward this pathetic excuse for a movie a 0/10, It's genre lists comedy. At no point did i even consider laughing. I know that all of the politically correct readers are going to scream "HOMOPHOBE" at me. But the fact is this movie simply has a rotten story line. It is shallow and frankly So boring that i had to convince myself to stay until the end thinking no movie could possibly be this bad and maybe i was going to miss the big funny twist.. oh my god how wrong i was. surely none of the actors read the script?? Do yourself a massive favor and miss this one. this movie is so bad i actually decided to create a IMDb account just to express this opinion . thanks for your time.
- pdillon-84176
- Aug 25, 2015
- Permalink
What's this?
DrtBlvd a user here, has an interesting view on this movie and one personally think and can stand behind too. I hadn't read anything about this, neither had I seen the trailer. So I had no idea what this would be about. I actually thought based on the cover this would be something along the lines of "School of Rock". It couldn't be farther away if it tried (though I can't say for sure if it wasn't the intention anyway to be as far away from a comedy like that in the first place).
Jack Black has some of his usual shticks, but it's more than that. It has themes about self identity, about growing up and especially about being who you are and not seeking being someone you are not. In the end we are all heroes (in our own story). Maybe it takes a movie like this to realize it for some, maybe some find it redundant. Whatever the case, this is entertaining, but also raises some interesting thoughts and questions ... but yeah the ending was a bit rushed ...
Jack Black has some of his usual shticks, but it's more than that. It has themes about self identity, about growing up and especially about being who you are and not seeking being someone you are not. In the end we are all heroes (in our own story). Maybe it takes a movie like this to realize it for some, maybe some find it redundant. Whatever the case, this is entertaining, but also raises some interesting thoughts and questions ... but yeah the ending was a bit rushed ...
I was once again duped into watching a JB flick
I saw a Jack Black film once, where he was funny. Every film since has left me hoping for the return of the original Jack and each time has been a big let down! After the last film he acted in, I remember thinking, "Never Again" yet this had a solid cast, decent reviews, and some time had passed so I thought maybe Jack would have aged like good wine. Once again, I was wrong. Jack's performance was predictable, cliché, and frankly, rather pathetic. I saw something in him once, perhaps he still has it and he's not the corny, obnoxious, guy, he comes across as. If that's the case, then his manager should be fired for continuing to allow him to accept parts with terrible scripts. Either way, whether it's terrible acting or terrible writing, I am done with Jack Black!
As for the film, it too was obnoxious and unbelievable. The premise that attendance at a reunion matters much to anybody was a tough sell. The dialogue between Dan and Lawless was completely absurd. the relationship between each of the characters was scripted with no sense of reality, and the entire thing seemed forced. It was as if the script was written by pulling ideas from a hat and then stringing them together with disregard for logic or reason. Such a concept for a comedy is not unheard of. You can play fast and loose with logic when a film is funny and the acting is good. Sadly, this film was lacking both humor and great acting and instead offered an awkward depiction of a completely unrealistic situation that dragged on for an hour and forty minutes and left me full of nothing more than regret for choosing to watch it.
If there is anything good to come from this film it's that it ends with Jack doing calisthenics and martial arts on the beach. Judging from the extra curves on Jack in this film, maybe that did him some good...
As for the film, it too was obnoxious and unbelievable. The premise that attendance at a reunion matters much to anybody was a tough sell. The dialogue between Dan and Lawless was completely absurd. the relationship between each of the characters was scripted with no sense of reality, and the entire thing seemed forced. It was as if the script was written by pulling ideas from a hat and then stringing them together with disregard for logic or reason. Such a concept for a comedy is not unheard of. You can play fast and loose with logic when a film is funny and the acting is good. Sadly, this film was lacking both humor and great acting and instead offered an awkward depiction of a completely unrealistic situation that dragged on for an hour and forty minutes and left me full of nothing more than regret for choosing to watch it.
If there is anything good to come from this film it's that it ends with Jack doing calisthenics and martial arts on the beach. Judging from the extra curves on Jack in this film, maybe that did him some good...
- justindaugherty-78301
- Sep 22, 2015
- Permalink
Wow! That was hilarious!
Way beyond my expectations.
Jack black was nothing but hysterical. Honestly could not stop laughing at him.
James Marsden make a fantastic side kick to Black's fantastic performance.
Another great Jack Black movie written by Mike White who also wrote School of Rock.
Black plays the head of his 20 year high school reunion committee who after seeing one of his classmates, Oliver lawless played by Marsden in a national TV commercial, weaves a very tangled web to get the coolest guy in the school to come to the reunion so he can be a hero but his quest turns out a little disastrous.
This movie impressively went places I did not expect and turn out some real funny results that change how I see Bromance movies forever.
This one you got to see.
Jack black was nothing but hysterical. Honestly could not stop laughing at him.
James Marsden make a fantastic side kick to Black's fantastic performance.
Another great Jack Black movie written by Mike White who also wrote School of Rock.
Black plays the head of his 20 year high school reunion committee who after seeing one of his classmates, Oliver lawless played by Marsden in a national TV commercial, weaves a very tangled web to get the coolest guy in the school to come to the reunion so he can be a hero but his quest turns out a little disastrous.
This movie impressively went places I did not expect and turn out some real funny results that change how I see Bromance movies forever.
This one you got to see.
- subxerogravity
- May 10, 2015
- Permalink
Not a fun comedy, a sad, PC agenda movie
Oh, what a tangled web we weave
The problem with this film is that by now I'm kind of exhausted, straight up tired of watching Jack Black playing a character who spins so much lies, it becomes a tangled web he's woven situation, tired of watching Jack Black's character claiming to be somebody he's not. It was great in "School Of Rock" but then another round in "Gulliver's Travels" and now this. That said, nobody could do this type of lying better than Jack Black.
THE D TRAIN, from writing/directing team Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel, stars Jack Black as a high school reunion committee self appointed leader named Dan Landsman who the audience could figure out instantly, didn't have a great high school experience. He has trouble trying to get his old classmates to come to the reunion and even his own committee thinks he's a loser. When all of a sudden, he watches a commercial featuring one of his graduating classmates, Oliver Lawless, played by the heartthrob James Marsden. Dan (Jack Black) concocts a plan to go to Los Angeles to convince Oliver (Marsden) to attend their reunion so that he could score cool points with the others. But not ever goes smoothly as planned, Dan comes up with a fake deal to try and get his boss to fund his travel but his boss (Jeffrey Tambor) is so eager and excited about the prospect, he decides to tag along.
Some of us liked our high school experience, but for the majority, people would probably say that they're glad to be out of there, life starts in college after all. Jack Black's character represents anybody who wishes they could press the reboot button on their adolescence. His character is not only insecure but feels like nothing else, not even his own son is as important as his pursuit of coolness among his peers. Whereas James Marsden's character profoundly represents people's misconception about show business. People often associate it with glamor, fame and fortune, and to a certain extent, that may be true, but many of the people traveling to L.A. and try their luck, only end up doing small gigs and waiting tables while waiting for their big break at the same time; a big break that may never happen. So these are two very sad individuals who lie to themselves and lie to the people around them. I have to give kudos to Jack Black and James Marsden because there is one particular sequence that you wouldn't see coming, some of you would probably, but it goes to show how professional Black and Marsden are, what they're willing to do and how far they're willing to go for the sake of the story. And that particular scene sets off a chain of events that lead to the climax and self realization. But again, seeing Jack Black in this type of role, is nothing new, but I guess this is his niche, his field of expertise. Overall, I think THE D TRAIN is a dark comedy that doesn't necessarily slap you in the face and tell you to snap out of it, that it was just high school for heaven's sakes, but it does have its own silly way of unburdening yourself from all the lies.
Read more at Ramascreen.Com
THE D TRAIN, from writing/directing team Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel, stars Jack Black as a high school reunion committee self appointed leader named Dan Landsman who the audience could figure out instantly, didn't have a great high school experience. He has trouble trying to get his old classmates to come to the reunion and even his own committee thinks he's a loser. When all of a sudden, he watches a commercial featuring one of his graduating classmates, Oliver Lawless, played by the heartthrob James Marsden. Dan (Jack Black) concocts a plan to go to Los Angeles to convince Oliver (Marsden) to attend their reunion so that he could score cool points with the others. But not ever goes smoothly as planned, Dan comes up with a fake deal to try and get his boss to fund his travel but his boss (Jeffrey Tambor) is so eager and excited about the prospect, he decides to tag along.
Some of us liked our high school experience, but for the majority, people would probably say that they're glad to be out of there, life starts in college after all. Jack Black's character represents anybody who wishes they could press the reboot button on their adolescence. His character is not only insecure but feels like nothing else, not even his own son is as important as his pursuit of coolness among his peers. Whereas James Marsden's character profoundly represents people's misconception about show business. People often associate it with glamor, fame and fortune, and to a certain extent, that may be true, but many of the people traveling to L.A. and try their luck, only end up doing small gigs and waiting tables while waiting for their big break at the same time; a big break that may never happen. So these are two very sad individuals who lie to themselves and lie to the people around them. I have to give kudos to Jack Black and James Marsden because there is one particular sequence that you wouldn't see coming, some of you would probably, but it goes to show how professional Black and Marsden are, what they're willing to do and how far they're willing to go for the sake of the story. And that particular scene sets off a chain of events that lead to the climax and self realization. But again, seeing Jack Black in this type of role, is nothing new, but I guess this is his niche, his field of expertise. Overall, I think THE D TRAIN is a dark comedy that doesn't necessarily slap you in the face and tell you to snap out of it, that it was just high school for heaven's sakes, but it does have its own silly way of unburdening yourself from all the lies.
Read more at Ramascreen.Com
- Ramascreen
- May 9, 2015
- Permalink
Don't bother if you want to laugh
- m0vie_maven
- Apr 6, 2017
- Permalink
Different - but that's a good thing! Delicate, original and fun
- supermaggie
- Nov 2, 2016
- Permalink
Comedy with some serious undertones
I was a little surprised by this movie, because it had some layers that I didn't really expect. Now, I can't go into much detail about these layers, because I want to be totally spoiler free, but they are there.
The D Train is listed as a comedy, but I think it's more of a comedy/drama, because, like I said, it's not all silly fun. The comedy is often silly, it is Jack Black after all, but when it is serious, it is serious. I kind of felt for Jack Blacks character. He does some dumb stuff indeed, but he is also tossed into a couple of situations he doesn't know quite how to tackle. (here those aforementioned layers comes to play)
I don't laugh that easily, so when I watch a comedy I first and foremost want to be entertained, not laugh. And I was entertained by this movie. It did make me chuckle a couple times too, though.
I think part of the reason for this movies relatively low score (here on IMDb) is exactly that it is not a clean comedy, and definitely not a clean drama, it falls between two chairs, and maybe some are confused by that. We do love to define stuff, don't we? Us humanoids that is. Yes we do.
Anyway, it's an alright movie with some heart, some drama and some goofiness. Not your worst, not your best.
The D Train is listed as a comedy, but I think it's more of a comedy/drama, because, like I said, it's not all silly fun. The comedy is often silly, it is Jack Black after all, but when it is serious, it is serious. I kind of felt for Jack Blacks character. He does some dumb stuff indeed, but he is also tossed into a couple of situations he doesn't know quite how to tackle. (here those aforementioned layers comes to play)
I don't laugh that easily, so when I watch a comedy I first and foremost want to be entertained, not laugh. And I was entertained by this movie. It did make me chuckle a couple times too, though.
I think part of the reason for this movies relatively low score (here on IMDb) is exactly that it is not a clean comedy, and definitely not a clean drama, it falls between two chairs, and maybe some are confused by that. We do love to define stuff, don't we? Us humanoids that is. Yes we do.
Anyway, it's an alright movie with some heart, some drama and some goofiness. Not your worst, not your best.
- Finfrosk86
- Sep 5, 2015
- Permalink
There is a Lawless inside all of us
- nogodnomasters
- Jan 14, 2018
- Permalink
The title "The D Train" gives this movie WAY too much credit.
"Every reunion needs a hero" is the tag line for "The D Train" (R, 1:27). I would put it another way. "Everyone at a reunion needs to be a hero". At a high school reunion, everyone wants to be perceived as successful. Movies have been made about the phenomenon. "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" (1997) tells such a tale in an exaggerated (and entertaining) way. But most people don't go as far as insisting that they invented "Post-Its" to impress their former classmates. Most people are content with just being seen as better than they were in high school. The popular kids want people to think they're still cool (if not cooler), the jocks are hoping to milk just a little more glory from their adolescent accomplishments, the nerds want to seem cool (but would settle for rich) and those who were awkward in high school (approximately 100% of us) just want to come across as a little less awkward. Everyone wants to be something of a hero to someone else at that reunion. The irony is that most of us are still basically the same people we were in high school. The happy ones are those who are now okay with that and the truly successful ones are not those who impress the most people, but the ones who've managed to become better versions of their teenage selves. "The D Train" explores the disconnect between high school reunion expectations and results, as well as the differences between perception and reality – and the dangers of going too far to be a hero.
Jack Black stars as the title character, the guy in search of a little high school redemption – and a cool nickname, a la the title of the movie. Black, as Dan Landsman, is a family man who is not as wise, well-adjusted, or cool as he thinks he is, or at least, tries to be. He butchers the semi-modern lingo, stumbles through his responsibilities as a husband and father and as an employee, and longs to seem more put together than he was in high school. He thinks that serving as the self-appointed head of his 20th reunion committee will help him with that last part. If he can make his reunion a success, then maybe, just mayyyybe, it would mean that he's a success. The problem is that, in pursuit of his goal, he runs roughshod over the other reunion committee members (including Mike White, Henry Zebrowski and Kyle Bornheimer), neglects his son, Zach (Russell Posner), takes his wife, Stacey (Kathryn Hahn), for granted and endangers the business built by his trusting and tech-challenged boss, Bill (Jeffrey Tambor).
Dan jeopardizes everything truly important in his life by putting all his RSVPs in one basket – believing that more people will agree to attend the reunion if he can get a "yes" from Oliver Lawless (James Marsden), the erstwhile most popular kid in school and now, an L.A. actor with one national TV ad campaign to his credit. Dan lies to his boss about a possible game-changing business opportunity in Los Angeles, so he has an excuse to go there and meet up with Lawless. The left coast cool guy doesn't even remember the schlub from high school, but agrees to get together anyway. To the surprise of both men, they get along great! They have an awesome time partying with booze and cocaine and doing other stuff that Dan will come to regret. Back home in Pittsburgh, the reunion committee prepares for the triumphant return of the great Oliver Lawless, but Dan starts to wonder if he's created a monster, even as he grapples with the implications of everything that happened in LA-LA Land.
As cool and/or interesting as this film might sound at this point, there's just one problem – it's almost indescribably awful! The movie is so unfunny that I actually had to check IMDb.com to make sure the film was indeed billed as a comedy. What is apparently meant to be humorous is just plain awkward. Every character, every subplot, every situation and every scene is cringe-inducing. The "Romy and Michele" movie dealt with the natural awkwardness of a reunion and the experience of reliving high school memories through amusing characters, some pretty good jokes and even a heartfelt lesson or two. You get none of that in "The D Train".
What you do get from writer/directors Andrew Mogel and Jarrad Paul is a movie filled with unlikeable characters, teenagers who cuss as much as their parents and who feel free to engage in some very adult activities (even being encouraged to do so by some of the so-called adults in the movie) and so many non-sensical actions from Dan that I was starting to wonder if Black's character was supposed to be mentally ill. Now, an arrogant and rude reviewer might take this opportunity to say that YOU would have to be equally mentally ill to enjoy this movie, but I wouldn't say that. Seriously. Reactions to movies are subjective and everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. I'll just say that I wish this movie had taken place in New York City. Then I'd be telling you that I wish I could get off the D-train and hop on the F-train, because that's what this movie deserves. Well it looks like I just said it anyway. And I meant it! "F"!!
Jack Black stars as the title character, the guy in search of a little high school redemption – and a cool nickname, a la the title of the movie. Black, as Dan Landsman, is a family man who is not as wise, well-adjusted, or cool as he thinks he is, or at least, tries to be. He butchers the semi-modern lingo, stumbles through his responsibilities as a husband and father and as an employee, and longs to seem more put together than he was in high school. He thinks that serving as the self-appointed head of his 20th reunion committee will help him with that last part. If he can make his reunion a success, then maybe, just mayyyybe, it would mean that he's a success. The problem is that, in pursuit of his goal, he runs roughshod over the other reunion committee members (including Mike White, Henry Zebrowski and Kyle Bornheimer), neglects his son, Zach (Russell Posner), takes his wife, Stacey (Kathryn Hahn), for granted and endangers the business built by his trusting and tech-challenged boss, Bill (Jeffrey Tambor).
Dan jeopardizes everything truly important in his life by putting all his RSVPs in one basket – believing that more people will agree to attend the reunion if he can get a "yes" from Oliver Lawless (James Marsden), the erstwhile most popular kid in school and now, an L.A. actor with one national TV ad campaign to his credit. Dan lies to his boss about a possible game-changing business opportunity in Los Angeles, so he has an excuse to go there and meet up with Lawless. The left coast cool guy doesn't even remember the schlub from high school, but agrees to get together anyway. To the surprise of both men, they get along great! They have an awesome time partying with booze and cocaine and doing other stuff that Dan will come to regret. Back home in Pittsburgh, the reunion committee prepares for the triumphant return of the great Oliver Lawless, but Dan starts to wonder if he's created a monster, even as he grapples with the implications of everything that happened in LA-LA Land.
As cool and/or interesting as this film might sound at this point, there's just one problem – it's almost indescribably awful! The movie is so unfunny that I actually had to check IMDb.com to make sure the film was indeed billed as a comedy. What is apparently meant to be humorous is just plain awkward. Every character, every subplot, every situation and every scene is cringe-inducing. The "Romy and Michele" movie dealt with the natural awkwardness of a reunion and the experience of reliving high school memories through amusing characters, some pretty good jokes and even a heartfelt lesson or two. You get none of that in "The D Train".
What you do get from writer/directors Andrew Mogel and Jarrad Paul is a movie filled with unlikeable characters, teenagers who cuss as much as their parents and who feel free to engage in some very adult activities (even being encouraged to do so by some of the so-called adults in the movie) and so many non-sensical actions from Dan that I was starting to wonder if Black's character was supposed to be mentally ill. Now, an arrogant and rude reviewer might take this opportunity to say that YOU would have to be equally mentally ill to enjoy this movie, but I wouldn't say that. Seriously. Reactions to movies are subjective and everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. I'll just say that I wish this movie had taken place in New York City. Then I'd be telling you that I wish I could get off the D-train and hop on the F-train, because that's what this movie deserves. Well it looks like I just said it anyway. And I meant it! "F"!!
- CleveMan66
- May 7, 2015
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