Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis in a political satire. What could be giddily funnier than that? Both comedians, when given a richly developed character, are thigh-slapping hilarious. Take Due Date and Semi-Pro or Anchorman. Pit these two guys against each other as political rivals for US.Congress, then it becomes a dream comedy for fans of Ferrell and Galiafanikis. With the baby-punching in the trailer, though, you get a little worried that maybe that's the best that they've got to offer, but US Politics with idiots as rivals played by really talented actors? That's a great material right there. The odds of a failure here is almost nil.
But then, shockingly, The Campaign, directed by Jay Roach (Little Fockers), the laugh-o-meter is alarmingly low.
As part of a political conspiracy, long-term Democratic congressman Cam Brady (Ferrell) of the North Carolina district, is suddenly thrown a Republican rival, Marty Huggins (Zach Galiafanikis), a naive weirdo with pure intentions for running office. And we watch how they play dirty to win.
The main problem here is that the Cam Brady character is a bad cliche of a politician: an idiot womanizer, crude and potty-mouthed, and all these characteristics magnified a thousandfold— yet portrayed weakly. The Huggins character is a bit more developed, more unique, hence more fascinating, but falls short as well— no pun intended.
The Campaign has its funny moments, yes, like the wardrobe malfunction and Dylan McDermott's character as the campaign manager, and two or three dialogues that will brush against your funny bone and elicit in you a short-lived guffaw. But no, none of that prolonged laughing experience, with your face all warm and with risk of an asthma attack.
The Campaign is a badly written comedy, filled with shallow political humor, cliche-ish and forced, and too unrealistic even for a satire. After leaving the cinema, I had the sudden need to rewatch Due Date or Anchorman to preserve my Ferrell/Galifianakis comedy experience.
The Campaign is a badly written comedy, filled with shallow political humor, cliche-ish and forced, and too unrealistic even for a satire. After leaving the cinema, I had the sudden need to rewatch Due Date or Anchorman to preserve my Ferrell/Galifianakis comedy experience.
1 out of 5 stars
In Philippine Cinemas August 29, 2012
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