Synopsis: Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star is a new comedy starring Nick Swardson, Christina Ricci, Don Johnson, and Stephen Dorff. Bucky (Swardson) is a small town grocery bagger, going nowhere in life – until he discovers that his conservative parents were once adult film stars! Armed with the belief that he has found his destiny, Bucky packs up and heads out to LA, hoping to follow in his parents’ footsteps.
Release Date: September 9, 2011 MPAA Rating: PG-13
Genre(s): Comedy,
Film Review
Production
From small-town Iowa to the bright lights of Hollywood, Bucky Larson (Nick Swardson) believes his destiny to be that of an adult film star. This realization comes after he discovers his parents were “stars” in the porn industry in their younger years making over 86 films and establishing quite a following. Leaving his home in Iowa Bucky finds himself in Hollywood, and soon after “The Valley,” aka the porn capital of the world. Lucky for Bucky he immediately makes friends with a cute diner waitress Kathy (Christina Ricci) who sets him up with a roommate, Gary (hilariously played by Kevin Nealon), and supports his dreams of porn stardom. The road to stardom is full of a few bumps for Bucky; one scene in particular where he mistakes a macaroni and cheese commercial audition for one of a pornographic film will make you laugh so hard you spit out your soda. Things improve when he meets adult film director Miles Deep (Don Johnson) who believes Bucky has potential. Bucky’s potential being the ability to make men of a smaller size feel better about themselves compared to Bucky’s nub. They make movies together and Bucky finds his stardom, while having to deal with the “big” man in the business Dick Shadow (Stephen Dorff) who despises Bucky and everything he is doing to change the business.
Bucky Larson: Born To Be A Star is about Bucky becoming a star, and finding acceptance in the porn world even with his small penis. It is also a sweet gentile love story between Bucky and Kathy. While the film may be hilarious at times, and not exactly painful to watch, it is far too unintelligent to be considered a good movie, or even a decent one. Bucky Larson: Born To Be A Star is a movie made for the man-child inside everyone who has not grown up to appreciate astute comedy but prefers group masturbation scenes and penis’ that project semen onto old ladies sweater’s. The film may move quickly, and keep you from yawning, but at the end you know deep down that you should never have watched this movie, nor should you again.
Comedy Factor
It may be a tad embarrassing to admit for any viewer of Bucky Larson: Born To Be A Star (me included) that the film is actually quite funny, in the most moronic way possible. Bucky is a simpleton who does not prescribe to sarcasm and takes everything quite literally, with hilarious results. He has buck teeth that when touring what looks to be ‘Ripley’s Believe It Or Not’ museum makes tourists think he is one of the attractions. His teeth are out of control, they even glow in the dark. Then there is the bowl cut of his hair, not the funniest bit on its own but with the plethora of jokes about his hair, and teeth combined, it becomes almost impossible to hold back the giggles.
The out-of-control laughter comes when Bucky is performing in his movies. Bucky does become a star because of his lack of a certain attribute that makes a porn star a porn star–Bucky is all nub, and no shaft. He also ejaculates without contact of a female, repeatedly spraying his semen in every direction possible without control. Then there is the contortion his body makes during his climax that is reminiscent of a werewolf transforming at the full moon or an animal being maimed, depending on the moment. Nick Swardson does not hold back one bit in his gross display of Bucky the unlikely porn star. Viewer’s will be amazed at just how funny a film that is wholeheartedly idiotic can be given the right comedian in the lead.
There is one more notable comedian’s performance in Bucky Larson, Kevin Nealon as Bucky’s roommate Gary. A sociopath with anger and control issues Nealon provides the shock comedy of the film. His scenes are manic, screaming at Bucky about whose milk he is using or whether he ate one of his grapes–and just one. Gary scares the hell out of you while also making you laugh every time he appears in a scene. The combination of Bucky and Gary along with the rest of the cast feeding off of the both of them when given the opportunity makes Bucky Larson: Born To Be A Star ridiculous fun you will never want to admit to enjoying.
Cast and Crew
- Director(s): Tom BradyDavid DorfmanJack Giarraputo
- Producer(s): Adam SandlerAdam SandlerAllen CovertNick Swardson
- Screenwriter(s): Nick Swardson (Bucky Larson)Christina Ricci (Kathy McGee)Don Johnson (Miles Deep)
- Story: Stephen Dorff (Dick Shadow)
- Cast: Ido Mosseri (J. Day)Kevin Nealon (Gary)Edward Hermann (Jeremiah Larson) Miriam Flynn (Debbie Larson)Jason GoursonMichael BarrettDina Lipton
- Editor(s):
- Cinematographer: Waddy Wachtel
- Production Designer(s):
- Costume Designer:
- Casting Director(s):
- Music Score:
- Music Performed By:
- Country Of Origin: USA