It has become apparent in the film industry today that comedies are being directed more and more toward younger teenage audiences, using bathroom humor to gain cheap laughs. Dick is no exception. With a plot built around Watergate, director/writer Andrew Flemming (The Craft) had an opportunity to make Dick a somewhat intellectual historical spoof. Maybe he should have let someone else take a crack at writing the script this time because boy did he miss the mark.
Betsy Jobs (Kirsten Dunst) and Arlene Lorenzo (Michelle Williams) are two fifteen year old girls who find themselves in the middle of history’s biggest scandal. Complete with dry nerdy laughs and ‘huh?’ glances, the two are more annoying than comical. What is it with clueless characters in obvious situations that are supposed to be funny? It’s not exactly an original concept, but what is original is the comical way that Dick attempts to explain the events of Watergate. Flemming has a great idea brewing here, but the target audience will be left not getting it.
The humor in Dick is found through historical references and impersonations. Take the famous tape with eighteen and a half missing minutes; the two girls accidentally find it and Arlene decides it’s time to confess her undying love for the President (she has this thing for older men). She begins to sing Olivia Newton John’s “I Honestly Love You”. This is quite comical, not because Michelle Williams’ singing is off-key, but because of the historical relevance that those missing minutes hold. Yet how many fifteen year-olds do you know who are familiar with the facts of Watergate? By the way, Michelle Williams should have never tested the waters past Dawson’s Creek. You’d think she would’ve learned after “H20”.
With a great comic cast, including Dave Foley (NewsRadio), Will Farrell (Saturday Night Live), and Bruce McCulloch (Kids In The Hall), the key Watergate players are well represented and portrayed, but the abundant use of foul body noises and excessive wordplay as in the film’s title are overshadowing. Flemming is beating a dead horse. If you’re looking for a comedy that’s a definite no-brainer, and have at least some knowledge of Watergate, then and only then would I suggest seeing Dick.
+ Ashley Adams
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.