Joel Reynolds (Jason Bateman – Arrested Development) is the head of his own food-flavouring extract business. The company is doing quite well but that doesn’t help with Joel’s marriage to Suzie (Kristen Wiig – Adventureland) which has hit a dry-patch lately. After a freak accident to one of his workers in the factory, a local con artist named Cindy (Mila Kunis – That 70’s Show) takes up a position on the assembly line looking to make some real money. Joel takes an instant liking to Cindy and thanks to a drunken conversation with best friend Dean (Ben Affleck – Daredevil) ends up putting plans into motion that will legitimise his desire to have an affair with her.
Extract is yet another perfect example of why Mike Judge is such a genius. Much like his contemporary classic Office Space and his consistently excellent TV series King of the Hill, Extract pokes an affectionate stick at simple everyday life but it does so with hilarious situations, good characterization and an off-beat humour running throughout.
Jason Bateman is a name you can trust in Hollywood and is perfectly suited to be the main point of interest in this film. He is hilarious as Joel, a man who is looking to mix things up (literally) as the head of a food extract company. It’s so easy to sympathise with Joel thanks to Bateman’s natural charm and charisma. He also effortlessly works alongside the likes of David Koechner, former KISS band member Gene Simmons and cameo-king J.K. Simmons to craft some hilarious set-pieces. Seeing Gene Simmons shouting for Bateman to slam his nuts in a door is surreal and very funny!
Mike Judge has a great ability to gather wonderful ensembles of impressive supporting talent for his projects. Extract proves to be no exception to that rule with some amazing actors coming onboard to breathe life into its memorable side characters. David Koechner leads the way with his portrayal of good natured but annoying neighbour Nathan. Koechner steals every scene he is in and is on simply hilarious form here. Another reliable talent, J.K. Simmons, is on hand to make assistant manager Brian such an entertaining watch too. As mentioned before, they also both work alongside Jason Bateman really well too. These characters could have been mundane in the hands of less capable performers but Judge knows how to cast a film well. Koechner and Simmons are close to perfect in this.
An almost unrecognisable Ben Affleck impresses as Dean, a stoner-barman who convinces Joel to take a chance on Cindy and the hard-working Kristen Wiig continues to build on her impressive CV as Joel’s frustrated wife Suzie. Mila Kunis doesn’t have much to do other than to look hot and unattainable as Cindy. She more than achieves this. Clifton Collins Jr. and Dustin Milligan are on hand to make you belly laugh when you least expect it too.
The genius of Extract comes in the minute details. As with Office Space, it’s the little things that raise the biggest laughs, much like life itself. Judge’s has a sharp eye for dialogue too and sees to it that all of his characters have some memorable lines that really leave a lasting impression. He even manages to shoot the film well - Joel has a brilliant dream sequence where his wife is being seduced by the pool cleaner. It’s filmed in soft-focus and is hysterical.
Extract is one of the funniest films of the year and with such strength in supporting talent on show, it really can’t be missed. You owe it to yourself to see this; Extract is a hilarious, sweet and poignant story on the subtleties of life and how everything can change dramatically just by a beautiful girl walking into your life.
ShareThis
Related Content