Hamlet 2, Starring Steve Coogan
With Catherine Keener, David Arquette and Elisabeth Shue
Sep 7, 2008
The opening of "Hamlet 2" immediately drops the viewer into the off-kilter world of failed actor/high school drama teacher Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan). As a deep British voice intones solemnly about the high calling of theatre, Marschz is shown in a TV commercial, proudly stating, "I have Herpes - but you'd never know it." Clearly, all is not well in our hero's world.
An Eccentric Main Character
As the story begins, Dana is stuck in Tucson, teaching drama to just two highly-devoted students (played by talented "Spring Awakening" stars Phoebe Strole and Skylar Astin). Dana's idea of innovation is staging popular movies ("Erin Brockovich") as plays. Unfortunately, very few in the high school community appreciate his "art." The West Mesa drama critic, all of 14 years old, regularly pans his productions. Then, the worst news of all: the drama program is about to be cut from the budget. What to do? The answer: produce Marschz' own original play, "Hamlet 2." Because everyone deserves a second chance - not least of all, Marschz himself.
It's safe to say that Marschz has Daddy issues, since every five minutes or so, he rails against his emotionally unavailable father. The rest of his personal life is also a disaster. He is married to an insensitive, self-absorbed woman named Brie (an unapologetically nasty Catherine Keener) and forced to take in a boarder (David Arquette) because he is perpetually broke. Marschz can't seem to have a baby, either, although he does meet his heroine, Elisabeth Shue (played by the actress herself), while at the fertility clinic. (Shue is now a nurse because she has grown to hate acting).
Hamlet 2 is an Original, Ambitious Script
Marschz' greatest weakness, and strength, is his inability to judge himself or others. He sees no one and nothing clearly, especially not himself. At first, his world is slightly difficult to sink into because it is hard to believe that a person so clueless actually exists. (He actually thinks the name of one of his students is "Heywood Jablome.") But gradually, Steve Coogan's charm and total commitment to the character draw the viewer in, and become completely fascinating. And the result of his generosity of spirit is the amazing and irreverent "Hamlet 2," which ends up bringing the whole Tucson community together.
In a year of comic-book films, it is a pleasure to see a movie as original as "Hamlet 2." Some of the physical comedy is a bit repetitive for me (for example, Coogan falls down much too often), but that's to be expected from the writer of "South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut." In any case, when the drama class is fleshed out with students from the wrong side of the tracks, and the teacher tries to imitate Michelle Pfeiffer in "Dangerous Minds" in order to reach them, it is truly hilarious and touching. In fact, the script tackles a wide variety of issues: forgiveness vs. anger, enthusiasm vs. talent, racism vs. tolerance, trying to please others vs. being true to yourself, freedom of speech vs. censorship - a large undertaking indeed for a 90-minute film. It is a testament to the performers and the director, Andrew Fleming, that this undertaking is largely successful.
Steve Coogan Stars in A Funny and Tender Comedy
Thanks to its original script, charming cast of characters and an outstanding performance by leading actor Steve Coogan, "Hamlet 2" is a joyous, funny and genuinely emotional film. Don't miss it.
