Even a comedy called Idiots should be smarter than this
The frenetic, R-rated comedy Idiots moves at a chaotic clip, but strains to find meaning in its shades of stupidity.
Idiots, a raunchy road-trip comedy written and directed by Macon Blair, follows two dim-witted protagonists, Mark (Dave Franco) and Davis (O'Shea Jackson Jr.), as they transport a violently anti-social rich kid, Sheridan (Mason Thames), to rehab. The film, first conceived in 2017, aims to capture the spirit of R-rated buddy comedies like Dumb and Dumber, but falls short in its execution.
Mark and Davis represent two different extremes of stupidity – Mark is carefree and indulgent, while Davis is religious and guilt-ridden. Despite their contrasting personalities, both are unemployed and take on the assignment to escort Sheridan, the heir to a diaper fortune, to rehabilitation. Their journey begins with a series of generic clichés, including an encounter with a rundown motel and a destroyed car, but quickly becomes predictable and contrived.
The film's characters are largely underdeveloped, with the only real dynamic being Davis' struggle with guilt and Mark's blissful ignorance. Kiernan Shipka's performance as Irina, the hardened Eastern European stripper, is the only standout moment, as her character provides some much-needed depth. However, her role is ultimately limited by the film's lack of focus on character development.
The film's attempts at humor often fall flat, relying on contrived situations and slapstick rather than genuine character-based comedy. Director Blair's knack for gritty, scatological splatter and the film's overall sleazy atmosphere do give it a unique edge, but it struggles to balance its mean-spirited aggression with any genuine moments of redemption. Ultimately, Idiots fails to deliver the smart, funny ride that the source material promises.
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