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Back Shelf Beauties
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Harold And Kumar Every once in a while, even the hardest and most serious of people needs a silly movie to unwind (I'm talking to you Vice President Cheney! Even the Veep deserves some happy time in his undisclosed location). Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle could be the comic relief you need this weekend (but not so much for Cheney. You'll read why in a minute). John Cho stars as Harold - a low level investment banker who needs to step up for himself. His co-workers take advantage of him, and he hopelessly pines away for the pretty girl in his apartment building, but Harold can't muster up the strength to talk to her or stand up to them. In the building, he shares an apartment with Kumar (Kal Penn) - an underachieving genius who doesn't want to grow up. One typical, boring Friday night, the two buddies share some "recreational" substances, which leads to a strong hunger for White Castle burgers. In fact, Harold and Kumar will not accept any substitute, so they set off on a wild adventure to find the closest White Castle, no matter what it takes. Can Harold and Kumar find their hunger satisfying heaven? Can they survive the night? Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle is one of those silly, rude, crude, buddy adventure movies that hits the right spot. It reminds me of one of my favorite movies, The Blues Brothers. Almost everything in the film is objectionable, but you can't help but enjoy the crazy predicaments the two lovable dopes find themselves in. From a wild run in with Neil Patrick "Doogie Howser" Harris to a police chase to a strange encounter with some back woods hillbillies (in Jersey?), you will laugh all the way to the end, if you can get past the whole smoking dope aspect of the movie, and the gross out humor. Cho is great as the uptight guy who doesn't want to be an Asian stereotype, and Penn reminds you of the best friend who always gets you in trouble. The two form a strong Odd Couple-type pairing, but, no matter how silly they are, you feel a compassion for them and want the buddies to find those elusive burgers. Writers Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg put the two in some wild situations, some that you could never find believable outside of a movie theater, but it is in the tradition of screwball comedies, and oddly flows together well. The movie isn't full of memorable dialogue or massive life affirming themes, but that's not the point. Each situation is wackier than the next, the good guys try to persevere and you always wonder if they will find White Castle. They even avoid what could have been a very anti-climactic ending. Anyone who doesn't like obnoxious comedy or can't handle the drug use theme shouldn't waste their time with Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle (I would go to 4 Waffles, but I can't promote drug use or celebrate it too much). The rest of us will enjoy it, and watch it about a zillion times when it comes to cable. 3 Waffle (out of 4) Copyright 2004 - WaffleMovies.com
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