'The Interview' A Review

The Interview is the sophomore comedy from Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen about vapid talk show host Dave Skylark and his producer Aaron Rapoport. Skylark Tonight is a thin celebrity gossip show that leaves Rapoport feeling like a fraud but after discovering that Kim Jong-un is a fan he secures an interview with the North Korean leader. Before Skylark(James Franco) and Rapoport(Rogen) leave the CIA enlists them to assassinate the dictator.

Although overshadowed by the hype and controversy The Interview is exactly what it purports to be- a fun, stupid, absurd comedy with a little bit of a point to make. Franco puts in a charming performance as the surprisingly lovable and loving Skylark, although superficial and naive he gives the potentially unlikable character a lot of heart. Rogen is as engaging as ever, not doing a whole lot as the put-upon straight man but grounding the film as the ludicrous situation unfolds around him. The supporting cast rounds out the film well specifically Randall Park as Kim Jong-un and Diana Bang as propagandist Sook Yung Park. Both give dynamic performances playing both the realism and surrealism, the insanity and the emotion, of their characters.

Ambitious and funny. Crude but with a definitive political message. Undeserving of international attention but certainly worthy of appreciation.

See It.