Cast
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Jason Bateman
as Guy Trilby
Kathryn Hahn
as Jenny Widgeon
Rohan Chand
as Chaitanya Chopra
Philip Baker Hall
as Dr. Bowman
Allison Janney
as Dr. Bernice Deagan
Ben Falcone
as Pete Fowler
Steve Witting
as Proctor at Spelling Bee
Beth Grant
as Bedazzled Judge
Gwen Parden
as Brace Faced Girl
Anjul Nigam
as Sriram Chopra
Allan Miller
as Bald Glasses Judge
Bob Stephenson
as Bill Murhoff
Patricia Belcher
as Ingrid
Matthew Zhang
as Braden Aftergood
Madison Hu
as Ling Quan
Crew
Director
- Jason Bateman
Producer
- Jason Bateman
- Jeff Culotta
- Mason Novick
- Sean McKittrick
Reviews
Reno
> Good lie, bad words and ugly truth.
I thought it was Cliff Curtis' movie because that's whom I saw in one of the posters. Anyway, it's Jason Bateman's movie, which is also his first directional venture. A refreshing theme because only a very few movies were made based on the spelling bee contest, but this one was a bit messed up story narration. Most of the narrative looked so pale and dull. It is supposed to be an exciting storytelling with blistering pace.
You know, stories in the movies happen with a backdrop of the reasons. Like a piece of uninteresting wood carved into a something that attracts everybody. Some movie holds it till the end to reveal that beauty in the form of a twist, but some won't mind explaining it along the way. In this movie, what they had for the twist was lifeless, boring one, more like a cliché from the older days flick.
The boy from the movie 'Jack and Jill' was decent. I felt some material in the movie was inappropriate regarding a minor in one of the lead roles. But I know the title clearly suggests it is only for adults. Understandable that the writer wanted to give something new, but he could not get it right. Maybe lacked to bring some interesting and inspiring elements. What surprised me was, it was not either for commercial benefit nor a fine art piece.
All the way I knew something was not clinching and finally found out the approach to portray the main character in the negative mode had to do with something. They wanted the viewers to go against him and well, they got it in a way. Interestingly the screenplay was from the 'Black List' which was untouched for almost 10 years. Unfortunately Bateman decided to give it a try and the result is,... Here I'm with not satisfied fully, but okay-okay movie for being at least something different.
6/10
Jul 8, 2015
Thematic Analysis
Bad Words represents a fascinating example of Comedy cinema, offering viewers a unique perspective on the human experience and societal structures. The film's approach to its themes demonstrates a creative vision that distinguishes it within its genre.
Director Jason Bateman brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2013, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Bad Words took approximately 5 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $9.5 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 89 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 117 minutes long.
- The film contains approximately 2224 individual shots.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 10 months to complete.
- The screenplay went through 9 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
Historical Context
- In 2013, when this film is released:
- Streaming services were revolutionizing film and television consumption.
- Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Bad Words shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Bad Words subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like The Hustler of Muscle Beach and As Good as It Gets explore similar territory, Bad Words stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: September 6, 2013
- Runtime: 1h 29m
- Budget: $9,500,000
- Revenue: $7,800,000
Where to Watch
