Ricky Stanicky

 

I'm not sure if this movie will be getting a regular theatrical release. It is from Amazon and they are streaming it next wee, so it seems dubious. That's too bad, because one of the joys of a good comedy is bathing in the laughter of the audience surrounding you, and believe me, this film will have lots of laughter to go around. 

If you watch the trailer, you will get the premise, but I know some of my on-line friends have gone trailer free, so for them, here is a brief synopsis. Three friends have invented another friend, that they have used as an excuse for thirty plus years. "Ricky Stanicki" is the kid who brought the fireworks to the wedding, threw the cat in the pool, or conveniently, as they got older, scheduled something opposite a family event they would really like to avoid. They have kept an elaborate "bible" of Ricky's illnesses, rehabs and assorted other excuses, and their families believe Ricky is a real person.. Of course with a comedy, there are exigencies that require over the top solutions, and the guys back themselves into a situation where they have to produce the famous friend.

For years John Cena has been known as a wrester who has taken up acting, but I think it is fair to say now that he is an actor who has taken to comedy. His boisterous persona and physical characteristics have been exploited for laughs in films like, "Blockers",  "Suicide Squad" and "Argylle". This may be his masterpiece. As Rock Hard Rod, an off color singing impersonator, Cena is hysterical as the desperate and sad entertainer in a dive bar/casino in Atlantic City. He encounters the three friends and they decide to hire him to be their unseen friend. Cena was just getting started at being funny, for the rest of the movie, he sells it all. 

Peter Farrelly, along with his brother Bobby, made some of the greatest comedies of the 1990s. In the last few years he has made some more serious films, like the Academy Ward winning "Green Book", and the under appreciated "The Greatest Beer Run Ever". This time he is back in his sweet spot, gross out comedy, and we should be glad to welcome him back to that arena. He is working here with Zac Efron, who was the star of "Beer Run" and recently played a wrestler himself in "The Iron Claw". To top off the top knot cast, William H. Macy has a supporting role as a clueless executive who has some awkward hand gestures. 

If you enjoyed films like "There's Something about Mary" and "The Hangover", you will certainly relate to this project. It is irreverent and heartfelt at the end. Exactly the kind of stuff that those who remember will appreciate.