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TRIPPING FORWARD

Starring: Chris Fogelman, William Gregory Lee, Sung Hi Lee (Crystal girlfriend Neighbor), Koji Kataoka (Telemarketing Boss), Amber Benson, Angela Kinsey, Ed Begley, Jr. and M.C. Gainey

Directed and Written by: Marcus Nash

Unrated but contains adult content, language, and drug use

By John Delia

If you like extraordinary comedies such as 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked-up, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Super Bad, then this little film about mishaps that turn your life around fits the bill. I loved the actors in this film and the direction by Nash. The simple storyline starts out slow, moves into ‘out of the ordinary’ after personalities are established and turns to gold in the end. It’s a crazy fun film.

Ford (Fogleman) feels he is a budding actor but one television ad just doesn’t satisfy his hunger for that first movie feature. So along with his buddy Trip (Lee) the two land in Hollywood where Ford’s agent (Kinsey) is confident that he will get some opportunities to be cast in a role. Trip supports Ford’s film career and takes on the chores in their small apartment they have leased. But expenses have risen and Ford’s casting calls have been declining and they can’t make ends meet. One night during one of Trip’s nightclub visits, he meets a high profile model who gets cocaine for free and wants someone to purchase it from her at half the value and sell it to supermodels she knows will buy it. Trip thinks the plan is a sure winner, but when he takes matters into his own hands, Ford gets caught up in a get rich quick scheme that may end his acting career.

The premise of the film sounds a little corny, but the acting by Foglelman and Lee is so good that their characters become a lot of fun to watch. The support group helps the two leads with excellent performances leading to some very good entertainment. Keep an eye on Fogleman and Lee as I can see a great future with the right scripts.

In support I want to mention Hi Lee in the role of Crystal the quirky karate girlfriend that delivers debilitating kicks and Koji Kataoka as the high strung telemarketing boss who add hilarity to the film.

Direction by Nash saves the film from being ordinary by making his characters likeable and interesting. Lee could have easily fell into some previously developed drug related characters like Jay in Clerks or Jeff Spicoli in Fast Times At Ridgemont High, but Nash makes sure his role is different and quirky all at the same time. The wacky story plays out very nicely even though it is sometimes predictable.

The film contains a lot of drug use, adult language, sex and some violence so be cautious when deciding to take youngsters to see the film.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A fun film for adults that love their comedy offbeat. (3.5 of 5 stars)