Men Are Pigs - DVD

Movie: In the 1980s, director Howard Deutch enjoyed success with films such as "Pretty in Pink" and "Isn't She Wonderful?". His latest work "Men are Pigs" does not really play in this league. But this comedy, which is released as a DVD premiere in the "especially dirty long version", is always good for a few good laughs.

Tank (US comedian Dane Cook) is a real pig. Dating him usually ends in tears, anger and disgust. Because what Tank offers the ladies is nothing less than the perfect horror date. But this "Talent" uses Tank quite deliberately. For he gets paid by men to drive the women they've been dumped by back into their arms with the help of the lousy dates. When Tank's best friend and roommate Dustin (Jason Biggs) is sent packing by his dream girl Alexis (Kate Hudson), Tank wants to be helpful to his buddy. But after just a few minutes with Alexis, Tank realizes: everything is different with this woman...

"Men Are Pigs" has some very amusing moments. The idea of Tank deliberately scaring away his dates holds enough material for good laughs. But unfortunately the comedy, clearly tailored to US comedian Dane Cook, a kind of American Mario Barth, goes over the top too often and relies too much on vulgar gags and embarrassments. The many good ideas contained in the script are downright beaten to death by it. Alec Baldwin's first appearance, for example, starts off really funny, only to end in an unnecessarily clamorous moment. Deutch, unlike his early films, shows little flair here, especially in drawing the characters. The film stands and falls with them. And even if Tank and Alexis make a nice couple in a rather unusual way, they offer little emotional reference surface for the viewer, who then also relatively does not care about this relationship.

But even if "Men Are Pigs" falls far short of its potential as a result, the DVD premiere offers enough good moments for an enjoyable evening at home - provided, of course, that you have a soft spot for US humor of the somewhat cruder kind. A few good laughs, amusing supporting characters and a very nice basic idea ensure that the latest prank by Howard Deutch offers entertaining entertainment - despite the aforementioned weaknesses.

Picture + Sound: As is actually usual with comedies, nothing more than rather front-heavy action dominated by dialogue and soundtrack should be expected here in terms of sound. And that's exactly what viewers get here, with the German version presenting the dialogue much more front-heavy than the original English version. When it comes to the picture, the good coloration and overall decent overall sharpness are particularly noticeable. Overall, there is a deserved here: good!

Extras: Equal to two audio commentaries has to offer the DVD, whereby the first is actually quite worth hearing. Because while the director's commentary by Howard Deutch is rather factual and refers to the technical aspects, the commentary by actor Jason Biggs, screenwriter Jordan Cahan and producer Gregory Lessans is quite informative and above all amusing. There are also times during the film supporting actors or the producer's brother are called and told amusing anecdotes from the set. Admittedly, those involved praise the film a little too much at some points, but entertaining is this loose entertainment all.

In addition to the commentaries, the DVD also includes a few dropped and extended scenes that definitely have a laugh or two to offer, as well as four short featurettes that cover the filming location of Boston, the home of lead actor Dane Cook, Tank's father's rating system for women, prom, and very specific dating tips from the cast. With a total running time of just under 30 minutes, these short documentaries offer little real information about the making of the film, but there are a few nice moments to be found here.

Last but not least are the German and English trailers in the bonus program. Overall, there is a deserved: good!

Conclusion: "Men are Pigs" is a rather crude, but not unfunny comedy, which is fully tailored to main actor Dane Cook. Thus, a lot of potential is wasted, but for an entertaining DVD evening it is certainly enough. The extras remain overall quite superficial, only the audio commentary, in which Jason Biggs is also involved, provides a few really amusing moments. Therefore applies: for lovers of zünftigem US-Klamauk quite recommendable!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp