Warning: Please note that this film is
rated ‘R’ in the USA.
All Mike (Adam DeVine) and Dave (Zac Efron) wanted to do was give their
sister, Jeanie (Sugar Lyn Beard), the best time on her big day. What started as
an ultimatum from their dad (Stephen Root), turned into the biggest whirlwind
of deceit, laughter and disaster.
The Story
The hilarious plotline for Mike
and Dave Need Wedding Dates is founded on an actual Craigslist advertisement
written by the real Stangle brothers. Andrew Jay Cohen's and Brendan O’Brien’s
screenplay follow two mediocre liquor salesmen trying to find “nice girls” for
their sister’s wedding to keep them in check before, during and after the big
day.
They placed their advertisement on Craigslist to later be swamped by
creepers who only want a free “vacay”. When everything looked bleak, Tatiana
and Alice make a dramatic entry – seemingly to solve all their problems. Only
thing is…Tatiana and Alice are only playing
nice – an all-expenses paid vacation as dates, c’mon – it’s a disaster
waiting to happen!
Cohen and O’Brien embellished the real turn of events to give us
barrels of laughter, but if you’ve watched interviews with the Stangles and
their cameo story, there may have been some truth to parts of the film.
The Cast
Zac Efron and Adam DeVine have been herald as accurate portrayals of
the Stangle brothers, but not without their own perks. DeVine stuck with his
guns in terms of his comedic flair and over-the-top dramatisations. Efron was his
charming self with a dash of his badass nature in Bad Neighbours. Together they were a casting match made-in-heaven.
Aubrey Plaza and Anna Kendrick were just as funny! Kendrick’s
sad-hot-mess Alice suavely matched plaza’s nonchalant and sassy Tatiana. They
were brilliant at overplaying and underplaying their two-faced characters,
taking Mike and Dave – along with the audience - for a spin.
As a foursome, I tip my hat to the casting team. These four worked well
as individuals, duos and as an ensemble. Well done, everyone!
Overall…as much as this is not for children under the
age of eighteen, it is for those of
you out there who think you’re the life of the party and know that you’re
really not – but you’ll act like it anyway. It’s a ‘You-Do-You’ film that
matches this generation’s comedic prowess.
I will also stress that this is not a family film, nor should any child under the age of eighteen see this film, some things are better left for your later selves.
sL Star Rating: ★★★★
Next on sL: Ghostbusters