#98 I ♥ Huckabees

I ♥ Huckabees (2004)
Directed by David O. Russell
Written by Jeff Baena and David O. Russell
Starring Jason Schwartzman, Lily Tomlin, Dustin Hoffman, Jude Law, Mark Wahlberg, Isabelle Huppert and Naomi Watts



I ♥ Huckabees is one of the only movies that I can admit I was completely wrong about. On my first viewing, I really had no idea what to make of it. All the different acting styles, in-jokes, and existentialism went right over my head. But on a second viewing (because I really was curious to know what everyone found so great about this movie), I began to just sit back and enjoy it for what it was - absolutely hilarious. But now, after many repeat viewings, I've finally begun to fully appreciate the genius of what's going on here.

From the get-go, we're thrust into the world of Albert Markovski, an environmental activist with an existential crisis having to do with a couple of coincidences. Unsatisfied with his life, he hires two detectives, Vivian and Bernard Jaffe, to follow him around and try to discover what's really going on in his life. Describing the plot of Huckabees might be a little difficult, but basically, Albert's rival, Brad Stand, and Stand's girlfriend, Dawn Campbell, also get involved with the detectives. Then Caterine Vauban, the Jaffes' rival, shows up and tries to convert Albert and his new friend Tommy to her way of thinking. Hijinx, confusion and hilarity follow.

David O. Russell, known to be somewhat of an activist himself, is not only very shrewd at directing comedy, but also at disguising his sociopolitical messages under screwball zaniness. The movie explores many themes, including the absurdity of the world's obsession with celebrity culture. As Dawn, played by a spot-on Naomi Watts, attempts to discover the true meaning of life, she abandons her place in the world as the sexy, sunny spokesmodel of the Huckabees' chain of stores, realizing that there's more to life than just being pretty. Of course, the subject is handled as a joke, thanks to Watts' perfect comedic line delivery ("Wake up, pretty girl! The joke is on you!") and her ridiculous bonnet-and-overalls costume. But I still sense a little truth and bitterness to this theme, underneath it all. Similarly, subjects such as Christianity, existentialism, and even 9/11 are addressed in the same way.

In a movie that's really just about finding your identity, there's a fair share of different tones and "identities" among the expert ensemble cast. Jason Schwartzman's scene with Lily Tomlin at the beginning of the movie is like a comedian's wet dream. His intense curiosity contrasted by her cool, collected know-it-all façade makes for some brilliant delivery. ("Have you ever transcended space and time?" "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space. No, I don't know what you're talking about.") My favourite performance in the movie though is Mark Wahlberg's as confused fireman Tommy Corn. It's a sincere and beautifully-rendered character with palpable feelings and views, and yet it's also a work of perfect comedic execution. ("Ah, here he comes! The man-poet who banged France's dark lady of philosophy. The parking lot crusader of truth... who turned his back on his other like a cold-blooded gangsta.")

Technically speaking, the movie has some great individual aspects to it. Jon Brion's original score is cute and whimsical and creates that delicate mood of playfulness that immediately tells you not to take the movie seriously. And for all its zaniness, the movie has a very muted colour palette. The sets and costumes are all all greys, whites, and blues (with occasional splashes of colour) which probably helps keep the movie set in reality.

Admittedly, I ♥ Huckabees is so crammed with ideas, themes, and details that you barely know where to look. But it's refreshing to watch a movie that lets the chips fall where they may, and that has the bravery to be so completely different. Even the title itself challenges you to think differently, and separates itself from everything else. I mean, how many other movie titles do you know that have that pesky heart in them?