Extract

Rating R Genre comedy Starring Jason Bateman, Mila Kunis, Ben Affleck Directed by Mike Judge Publisher Miramax

There are two films writer/director Mike Judge makes. Those that while funny are a social commentaries such as the classic Office Space and then there are the stupid comedies like his “Beavis and Butthead” TV show such as Idiocracy.

With his new film Extract, he harkens back to his Office Space formula with it being aimed more towards the employees being jerks rather than the managers. Unfortunately, unlike his classic, his recent film doesn’t quite live up to its potential despite a great cast.

The setup of the film is simple. Joel (Jason Bateman) owns a factory that produces extract. As the film initiates, it is obvious that not everything is peachy with his wife. He complains to his buddy Dean (Ben Affleck), a bartender, that he hasn’t been laid in a long time.

Within all the personal drama at home, he soon sees himself in a slew of business troubles when a work-related accident occurs, injuring one of his employees Step (Clifton Collins Jr.) in his nether regions, and so a lawsuit is filed all amidst the company is about to be bought. Needless to say, Joel’s life is turned upside down and hilarity ensues – or at least it’s supposed to.

Unfortunately, Extract is inconsistent. There are funny scenes and entertaining stretches of the film, but somewhere in the mix it loses its steam. At the midway point, once the two plots are established, it seems almost like Judge doesn’t know where to go. However, if you stick with it, Extract has a very satisfying end run.

No matter what you think of the film, you cannot deny the superb cast. From Bateman and Mila Kunis to Mike Judge regulars J.K. Simmons and David Koechner, this was an ensemble that looked ready to deliver. While every character has its moment to shine, with the exception of Bateman’s character and to a lesser extent Ben Affleck, none of the rest are fully fleshed out characters. Mila Kunis is a focal point in the film as the devious but attractive younger woman, but she pretty much disappears throughout the entire middle of the film - only to miraculously reappear in the climax of the film. The same thing goes with Affleck who gives one of his few memorable performances.

Despite its flaws, Extract is a film worth seeing. It has many memorable scenes, much like Judge’s past works, and it includes excellent performances all around. Just keep in mind that this is not the laugh-a-minute romp that Office Space or Thank You for Smoking was.