Review: "Project X" (2012)

To invite a cheap comparison to a wedding speech, Merriam-Webster defines ‘glory’ (noun: \glȯr-ē\) in one of five distinct ways. The first is “a praise, honor or distinction extended by common consent”. In other words, via popular demand. 

In that, this film definitely succeeds (see the audience aggregate).

Not to be confused with the 2004 Jim Shepard novel of the same name, the Todd Phillips-produced “Project X” is an 88-minute found-footage teen sex comedy laced with a “Heart of Darkness” tang. It follows three high-school seniors as they attempt to singularly reverse their less-than-spectacular reputations in a single night. To accomplish this, they set out to hold “the most epic party of all time”.

But when the guest list swells to 1,000 plus, that's when things start to get out of hand...

Directed by first-timer Nima Nourizadeh and scripted by “Scott Pilgrim” co-writer Michael Bacall, the movie seems to have no reservations or pretenses of depth. The “characters” are all pretty much faceless bro-bags looking to score some hot barely legal action. From pokes at minivans to angry crotch-punching dwarfs, it feels like it’s been done before. But it still somehow manages to stay fresh and buoyant for the most part.

What the film lacks in substance it makes up for in pure energy and spirit. From a boots-on-the-ground perspective, the experience is masterful at times—surreal and utterly believable as a stream-of-consciousness snapshot of the adolescent mind in all of its raunchy, unfettered mayhem. It’s almost enough to carry the film to the heights of immortality.

The operative word there is “almost”.

I’m trying hard not to sound like the old fart that I feel like but “PX” is making that really hard.

Largely this endeavor has been dismissed by critics as an attempt at genre-mixing that soured in a putrid afterbirth of booze, vomit and semen. It’s been labeled as chauvinistic, uncouth, unfunny, unoriginal and meaningless.

Others have flocked to Mister Nourizadeh’s aid by calling out the moralizing naysayers for what they are. But I think there’s much more to it than old crones looking to keep a lid on the changing times.

It might not be enough to simply criticize the film for merely depicting “the realities of what kids do” (as was the stated goal of the director). In that they’ve doubtless succeeded. Casual drug use, false bravado and hormones are among the unspoken truths of high school and I’m not about to shoot myself in the foot by denying their dark allure.

As far as accurate representations of “fuck-the-man youth” go I can’t help but feel that there’s a certain disregard not for the establishment in “PX” but of basic humanity.

It feels like “Superbad” without a soul. It feels like an update of “Animal House” as imagined by a sociopathic John Hughes. It’s accidentally misogynistic. Unintentionally mean-spirited and the revelations are incidental rather than causal.  

But perhaps my biggest problem with the movie is not so much its glorification of the party life.

As I’ve said before, ‘glory’ has more than one definition.The second definition listed under Merriam-Webster is as follows: “something that secures praise or renown”.

Again, “PX” passes this test with flying colors. The three hapless misfits indeed achieve legendary status. But clearly the phrase “pyrrhic victory” wasn’t on the vocab test at this school.

For anyone stoked by the Kid Cudi song “Pursuit of Happiness” presented both in the movie and in the teaser trailer, think about it…

Quote:

“Imma Do Just What I Want Lookin’ Ahead No Turnin’ Back
If I Fall If I Die Know I Lived It Till The Fullest
If I Fall If I Die Know I Lived And Missed Some Bullets

“I'm On The Pursuit Of Happiness And I Know Everything That Shine Ain't Always Gonna Be Gold
I'll Be Fine Once I Get It, I'll Be Good.”

(see the rest here)

Maybe it’s just yuppie middle class kids who don’t get what this song is really about. Clearly there’s bitter irony that laces the song’s subtext, a message which seems to elude both viewers and the filmmakers. It’s not just about “living for the moment” or about the candle that burns twice as bright. His words ring of devil-may-care, but Cudi speaks reflexively and sarcastically of the vain quest for worldly comforts (honestly, does he sound happy or convincing when he says that last line of the chorus?).

That said, I think the basic impression I got from the movie was that ‘happiness’ is the goal. And at 18 years, happiness for a young down-and-out teenage boy is lots of sexy bitches and popularity.

But if one has to sacrifice that much just to be cool then I think I’m good with my videogames and comic books. Because it’s like the great Lebanese poet Kahlil Gibran once said:

“Pleasure is a freedom song, but it is not freedom.” 

 ***

Directed by:
Nima Nourizadeh

Screenplay by: 
Matt Drake and Michael Bacall

Story by:
Michael Bacall

Produced by: 
Scott Budnick..........................executive producer
Marty P. Ewing.......................executive producer
Alex Heineman........................executive producer
Todd Phillips
Steve Richards........................executive producer
Andrew Rona.........................executive producer
Joel Silver...............................executive producer

Cast:
Thomas Mann.......................Thomas
Oliver Cooper......................Costa
Jonathan Daniel Brown..........JB
Dax Flame............................Dax
Kirby Bliss Blanton...............Kirby
Brady Hender......................Everett
Nick Nervies.......................Tyler
Alexis Knapp......................Alexis
Miles Teller.........................Miles
Peter Mackenzie.................Dad
Caitlin Dulany.....................Mom
Rob Evors..........................Rob
Rick Shapiro......................T-Rick
Martin Klebba....................Angry Little Person
Pete Gardner.....................Older Guy
Nichole Bloom...................JB's Girl
Sam Lant...........................Freshman Party Crasher
Henry Michaelson..............Freshman Party Crasher
Brendan Miller...................Brendan