I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell
posted March 30, 2009 10:08 PM
Keep the tab open, please.
Based on the memoir of the same name, I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell is a grand, farcical, road-tripping romp in the vein of National Lampoon’s Vacation and Road Trip, but updated with the crass, guy’s-night-out humor of Role Models and The 40-Year-Old Virgin. With a top-notch script penned in part by the book's author, Tucker Max, and winning performances from lead Matt Czuchry (Gilmore Girls), straight man Geoff Stults (7th Heaven) and scene-stealer Jesse Bradford (W., Flags of Our Fathers), the film seems sure to please fans of the genre. If over-the-top buddy comedies keep cashing in at the theatres the way they have been in the past few years, I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell should find itself enjoying similar box office success.
Question: If you and your friends went on a prurient road trip that involved the commission of multiple criminal offenses, one arrest, a prison beating, the egregious waste of hundreds of dollars at a variety of strip clubs, solicitation, destruction of public property, drunk and disorderly conduct, public urination, hotel blacklisting and public defecation, would you: A.) Try your best to bury the story in your deep, dark past; B.) Rub it in the noses of all your friends who weren’t there; or, C.) Make a feature film about the misadventure and proclaim your misdeeds to the world?
Most Americans would probably pick A. Some would pick B. Max, for his part, picked C, and it is the story of moral morass, hilariously fictionalized (but only just), that makes up the plot of I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell.
The film opens with an introduction to Tucker (Czuchry), a Peter Pan-like lothario who finds himself enrolled in law school—where he’s as likely to be found in the bar or with coeds as attending his actual classes. Clearly the Big Man On Campus, Tucker exudes the same causal rakishness when matching wits with his professors as he does when ensnaring women.
However, Tucker’s two best friends fail to share his self-assuredness. Drew (Bradford), a caustic, cynical shut-in cut from the image of a boiling-mad, asocial Henry Rollins, is the victim of a cheating girlfriend and a heartless breakup; he spends most of his time playing video games and railing against the opposite sex. Dan (Stults), for his part, is engaged to the love of his life and is, at the film’s opening, less than two weeks away from his wedding day. It is Dan’s upcoming nuptials—and the attendant, mandatory bachelor party—that serves as the main driver of plot.
Above the wishes of his friends, Tucker drags the trio's party to the far-off town of Salem, site of a notoriously decadent strip club. Dan seethes over the deception inherent in the trip. Drew, for his part, seethes at the forced interaction with the opposite sex. Tucker, of course, simply drinks in all that Salem has to offer, and while his friends undergo critical moments of self-reflection, Tucker simply rides along the tracks of consequence-free, in-the-moment based living. The intersection of Tucker’s static outlook and the trauma and catharsis undergone by his friends leads to an inevitable confrontation, and though it takes time to play itself out, Tucker is ultimately faced with the truth: that he must learn to value others as he values himself, or else face the consequences of losing his closest friends altogether.
I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell has been analogized to the archetypal hero’s journey, and it is a somewhat fitting comparison. But to simply harp on this aspect of the story and categorize the film as an R-rated reimagining of Star Wars would miss the point. I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell strives to be—and is, at its core—a genuinely funny gross-out comedy about guys getting into trouble. Fans of Tucker Max will recognize much of the book's original Austin Road Trip story, with bits and pieces of other salacious tales mixed in at times as well. Sex and excretion jokes, attacks on social taboos and shocking sight gags are this film’s stock in trade—and they are clearly so by choice.
And—and this is important—they are done well.
There are people who will not like this movie (that goes without saying) but I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell doesn’t aim to be all things to all people. It aims to be a sex-driven romp through real-life guydom, a mirror held up to the best and weirdest aspects of the male social dynamic. At this, it succeeds. The classics of the guys’ comedy genre of the last ten years—Super Troopers, American Pie, and their ilk—became so because they so perfectly captured and distilled the oddest and funniest moments of what it’s like when a group of guys get together and let their baser impulses run wild. I Hope They Serve Beer In Hell laudably does just the same—with its sensibilities updated for the current shock threshold, of course—and, in all likelihood, will find itself held in the same esteem as those other films upon its release.
Distributor: Freestyle Releasing/Darko Entertainment
Cast: Matt Czuchry, Jesse Bradford, Geoff Stults, Keri Lynn Pratt, Marike Dominczyk
Director: Bob Gosse
Screenwriters: Tucker Max and Nils Parker
Producers: Tucker Max, Nils Parker, Karen Firestone, Ted Hamm, Richard Kelly, Sean McKittrick, Aaron Ray and Max Wong
Genre: Comedy
Rating: Unrated
Running Time: 99 min
Release Date: September 25
47 Comments
Leave a comment
Tony said:
Way to go Nils!
March 31, 2009 12:23 PM
Edbom said:
Awesome! Can't wait!
March 31, 2009 4:01 PM
Ariana said:
so excited! i loveeeeeeeed that book and have been a long-time fan of tucker max. way to go!!!
March 31, 2009 4:22 PM
Mukka said:
Tucker ****in Rocks! Can't wait for the movie!
March 31, 2009 4:27 PM
blueberry boy said:
i heard that tucker was gay now.
March 31, 2009 4:52 PM
Anthony said:
The book is great. If you havent read it yet then you have to pick up a copy. If the movie is as funny as the book then I am sure it will be a hit. Im pretty pumped for the movie to hit theatres.
March 31, 2009 8:14 PM
MIZ said:
Big Fan. Excited for the movie.
March 31, 2009 10:15 PM
missynolonger30 said:
I am still laughing about the dog eating your vomit.....hope the movie is just as funny.
March 31, 2009 10:49 PM
krismiss said:
The only book Iv gotten all my burn out friends to read and everyone confessed to laughing so hard it nearly caused urination (i think it did in one case). I literally had to "paste my face here" to maintain ownership. Cant wait for the flick!
March 31, 2009 11:28 PM
AMAC said:
Gosse Is Magic.
April 1, 2009 12:09 AM
BadAss said:
Can't wait can't wait can't wait can't wait!!! This man gives me hope that there are other guys out there like me, who think and do the most insane sh*t and can't wait to tell their friends about it, bringing them along for the ride. You rock, Tucker!!!
April 1, 2009 6:15 PM
doanli said:
You ROCK, Tucker!
April 2, 2009 1:21 PM
Anonymous said:
hope its as good as the book!
http://unemployedandawesome.blogspot.com/
April 2, 2009 1:26 PM
Anonymous said:
i hope they serve beer in hell is classsssic
another good book: the average american male by chad kultgen
April 3, 2009 2:55 PM
Anonymous said:
this critic's writing style reminds me of diarrhea
April 5, 2009 12:29 PM
chris said:
wow.. its been a long time coming but its finally coming.. i cant ****ing wait for this movie...
April 6, 2009 10:43 AM
Jessca said:
If this book is something that offended or disgusted you than you should have your head examined. I would kill to have friends like this and am over excited to relish in the making of pure genius.....
April 7, 2009 12:20 PM
Anonymous said:
Tucker's a self-centered, obnoxious asswipe. If you honestly find this kind of humor funny, crawl back to your faggoty frathouse and kill yourself.
April 10, 2009 8:30 PM
Mike-N-Riverside-Cali said:
I am now a Tucker Max Whore. I luv the book. Even though I am a gay man, I related to a lot of the stories cause, as you know, all gay men fool around with a lot of guys. Ive been with over 300 guys and the stories I could tell would be beyond believing, but their true. I luv Tucker Max....
April 11, 2009 1:21 PM
shane murphy said:
You know what the best part is? As they post the review of the movie, the advertisment off to the side is for victims of sexual abuse. The irony here makes me want to go out and abuse someone sexually.
April 15, 2009 12:00 AM
BigBad said:
I remember reading the story in 2003/2004 when it first came out on the internet. For Tucker Max's part, I hope the film is a success. Otherwise, he'll have spent most of his thirties on a mission to convince people how awesome his twenties were. Nobody wants to see a 40 year-old frat boy. Fortunately, if the movie succeeds, he'll be a 'film maker' in his late thirties.
April 16, 2009 9:25 AM
Max Vol said:
Wow! A movie about a middle-aged fratboy! I smell Oscar!!
April 18, 2009 5:45 AM
Loser Max said:
Tucker max is such a hoax. Sure, he might have had sex with a lot of women. The thing about his book/movie is that they're FICTION. He changes names into "nicknames" to "protect their identity, while the actual reason is so he can make stuff up. Well done loser max!
April 23, 2009 3:31 PM
LEZZY69 said:
My friends and I love you, Tucker! Your literature has been my guilty pleasure for years and you have my continued loyalty. I am beyond excited for this film and your upcoming work. Keep being you and the world will be a more interesting place!
April 26, 2009 7:38 AM
Random guy said:
I had never heard of TM until a month ago when a friend recommended the book and I bought it. The funny thing is, the night before he told me about it, I was at a friends wedding in our college town, and that night I went out and made an a$$ out of myself in similar style to TM. So I guess what I'm saying is that I can relate to Tucker, and I'm probably not going to change any time soon. I definitely enjoyed the book, and weather or not it's 100% true, I care not. It's still fun reading, and that's what counts. Looking forward to the movie.
April 26, 2009 10:01 PM
TuckersBiggestFan said:
I am so excited to see this movie! I could read the book over and over again, and can talk about it for hours with the guys-- which most find odd considering I'm a (very straight) girl. I wish I knew Tucker, I want to be friends with that guy. He is a God. Although I am happy I'm not one of the girls who ended up in his stories. I hear he's in NYC now, if you are find me! We have to hang out!
April 28, 2009 10:57 AM
Jen-nA said:
Tucker Max is hilarious. I hate that people don't get that this **** really happens. Want the girl's version.....check out www.slopshow.com!!
May 6, 2009 12:13 PM
Anonymous said:
Excited for the movie but there is no way it will be as good as the book
May 14, 2009 6:31 PM
Vinnie said:
Tucker Max is a liar and a douchebag.
June 2, 2009 6:20 AM
Nicey said:
"With a top-notch script penned in part by the book's author, Tucker Max, and winning performances from lead Matt Czuchry (Gilmore Girls), straight man Geoff Stults (7th Heaven) and scene-stealer Jesse Bradford (W., Flags of Our Fathers), the film seems sure to please fans of the genre. If over-the-top buddy comedies keep cashing in at the theatres the way they have been in the past few yearsI Hope They Serve Beer In Hell should find itself enjoying similar box office success."
Bahaahauahaha - HAHAHA - Oh jeezus...How much is Tucker paying you Eric?
"Top Notch Script" you are joking...you must be. Have you read the book? One of the most poorly edited books to ever grace the best seller list. I mean, a senior with access to word could have edited it better.
And to top it off...the book is terribly written. Why should I believe Tuckers "writing" skills have improved in 3 years? I doubt it.
"Winning Performances" - really? Every single actor on that list is subpar, already peaked, part of some tween melodrama that didn't do anything, or in the case of the lead...no leading role ever.
Considering its opening to limited release (less than 500 theaters) and "The Hangover" is coming out this summer with much better actors, directors, script, I see almost straight to dvd in the future of this one.
June 3, 2009 7:27 AM
Danny said:
Nicey, I can feel your jealousy for Tucker Max seeping from your fingers as you typed that.
I'm looking forward to the movie. I hope it's good.
June 23, 2009 5:02 PM
me said:
Danny you miss the point. If Tucker didn't take himself so seriously and see himself as some kind of "revolutionary" and "artist" for writing some gloryfied penthouse letters no one would think he's a douchebag. He needs to learn to be a little more self depreciating. Let's face it ..he wrote some funny stories. He's not a stud or a machiavellian intellectual force. And he needs to get grounded with that.
He idiot is even going around giving motivatonal talks now.
July 4, 2009 2:55 AM
howard100 said:
You work for Tucker, right? Don't you think it is important to disclose that?
August 4, 2009 3:48 PM
carlton said:
So this movie is not as good as Transformers? Good to know.
August 4, 2009 3:51 PM
Skip Foreplay said:
Well, Tucker was bragging about how great the movie is going to be and then I saw the trailer............I know you did not want to give away the "funny" stuff ....but for god's sake man.......the trailer is ****ing terrible. It definitely makes me want to skip seeing the movie.
August 7, 2009 12:52 PM
turd ferguson said:
It doesn't matter if you love Tucker Max or hate him, the question is can he make a hit movie or not? I admire the cajones that Tucker has shown throughout this whole process, basically putting all the pressure on him. If the movie is successful it's because of him, and if the movie is a failure it's because of him. He has put himself in as much control of this process as he possibly could because he knows in that business you only get 1 shot, if that. So when he got his shot, he wanted to do it the way he thought was the best way.
At the end of all this, either this will be a hit and Tucker Max will have begun a long road of feature films about his stories... or this movie will just become another movie in the history of film that people feel was good, not great, not bad and move on... and Tucker will have to go back to writing books in order to make a living.
The tour is an awesome idea too, it will garner lots of attention from fans and haters alike. The more controversy he gets the better.
August 11, 2009 4:03 PM
BTU said:
Nicey = imdb message board troll. Just for everyone`s information.
August 12, 2009 4:54 AM
Kdog said:
I saw the Boston viewing this week. Movie was F***ing funny. Sh*t scene was hilarious. Great job Tucker and Nils.
September 4, 2009 7:33 AM
Chuck said:
Hey, I just saw the premiere in Chicago yesterday.
I'm a HUGE fan of the book, blog and the IHTSBH production blog website.
That said, I was very disappointed in the movie. There were a lot of funny bits in there, but overall there was not a lot of cohesiveness... more like a bunch of one-liners here and there.
Don't get me wrong, it was decent but it definitely wasn't as funny as The Hangover or Wedding Crashers nor even close.
There's a visine in the drink scene like in Wedding Crashers and the end is very similar to American Wedding where Stiffler apologizes for ****ing up the wedding. I give it a "C"
The premiere was pretty cool tho. Very professionally done. They had a swag bag with Drink glass and gave away free t-shirts at the end and Tucker/Nils/JoJo/and the girl with 2 vaginas were there... and Tucker was very accessible to his fans.
September 13, 2009 5:41 PM
Chuck said:
Hey, I just saw the premiere in Chicago yesterday.
I'm a HUGE fan of the book, blog and the IHTSBH production blog website.
That said, I was very disappointed in the movie. There were a lot of funny bits in there, but overall there was not a lot of cohesiveness... more like a bunch of one-liners here and there.
Don't get me wrong, it was decent but it definitely wasn't as funny as The Hangover or Wedding Crashers nor even close.
There's a visine in the drink scene like in Wedding Crashers and the end is very similar to American Wedding where Stiffler apologizes for ****ing up the wedding. I give it a "C"
The premiere was pretty cool tho. Very professionally done. They had a swag bag with Drink glass and gave away free t-shirts at the end and Tucker/Nils/JoJo/and the girl with 2 vaginas were there... and Tucker was very accessible to his fans.
September 13, 2009 5:42 PM
John said:
So It comes out on the 25th but nowhere that I can find is showing it in Cleveland yet! This sucks!
September 24, 2009 7:16 PM
Anonymous said:
Eric Brach, please save this review because in ten years time you will look back on it and know for certain that it was at this exact moment you lost any credibility as a writer or reviewer
September 25, 2009 12:40 PM
Derrick said:
The movie is absolute garbage. Eric, you've lost any and all credibility as a movie critic.
Acting? Bad
Lighting? Terrible
Script? Lame and predictable
Humor? Painfully unfunny
September 25, 2009 2:37 PM
Mick said:
This movie - and, by extension, this review - is indefensible.
I'm a 30-year-old guy, I'm guessing I should be part of the theoretical target demographic for this movie and I found it completely abysmal. I really can't think of anything good to say about it except I'm glad it was only an hour and a half.
September 25, 2009 5:05 PM
Fannie said:
The Book was good. Hilarious. The ****ty thing is that tucker max is a yuppie **** who's incredibly full of himself. He's not the super hot dude that he makes himself out to be in the book. He's kind of a PanFace. He's bound to end up old and alone w/ V.D. Poor schmuck. No way the movie is as good as the book.
September 26, 2009 2:39 AM
naveen said:
You are ****ingly hilarious tucker if the movie is gonna be 20% of what the book is it's gonna be a laugh riot n u tucker really is an ******* .
September 27, 2009 3:57 AM
adam said:
I give the movie a C+ it was pretty funny though fairly predicable at times... I really wanted to like it more but at time I thinking WTF? This scene adds nothing... I watched it Saturday night and Max was actually there! super friendly and nice guy I hope the movie will do good for his sake
September 28, 2009 12:54 PM