Review: Extract (2009)

Director: Mike Judge (Office Space, Idiocracy)

Cast: Jason Bateman (Arrested Development, Juno), Mila Kunis (That 70's Show, Forgetting Sarah Marshall), Kristen Wiig (Saturday Night Live, Adventureland), Ben Affleck (Dogma, Good Will Hunting), J.K. Simmons (Spider-Man, Juno), Clifton Collins Jr. (Crank: High Voltage), Dustin Milligan (The Butterfly Effect 2, 90210), David Koechner (Anchorman, Thank You for Smoking), Beth Grant (Donnie Darko)

The Deal: Joel (Bateman) is the owner of an extract manufacturing plant. He's unhappy with the lack of intimacy with his wife Suzie (Wiig), and his life only becomes more complicated when his soon-to-be-promoted employee, Step (Collins), sustains an on-site injury. Initially willing to take a settlement, Step suddenly changes his mind, deciding to sue the company, a change of heart that seems very strange. The new girl at work, Cindy (Kunis), pushes Joel to test his marriage and the building sexual frustrations, but he soon realizes that Cindy may not be who she appears to be.

Thoughts: Though I found myself laughing throughout the film, as a whole, I was thoroughly disappointed. Mike Judge delivers much of the work-inspired humor that made Office Space such a hit, but the story itself feels dragged out and pointless much of the time. Though anyone in the working-class will find much to relate with (be it co-workers, marriage, neighbors, or on-the-job frustrations), the film fails to piece together these elements into a single, fluid story.

One thing that definitely isn't a problem with the film is its acting. Jason Bateman proves that he not only can lead a film, but that he could be the next big "it" guy. His performances are always top-notch, and he shines in his time on screen at all times. Ben Affleck is believable as a drug-enthusiest and continually spits out the worst possible advice to Joel. Davis Koechner plays the annoying neighbor who never seems to take a hint, and he was the one most consistently funny thing about the film. He nailed the role, and had me in stitches every time he flagged Joel and Suzie down to talk.

There's a scene approximately 10-minutes long half way through the film, and it probably the most bland scene of the entire film. Joel is hanging with Dean (Affleck) and one of Dean's friends, and they are showing him how to take a hit from a bong to help him calm down and forget his stress. Literally, nothing happens on screen for a long while until Cindy walks in the door. It was useless filler and a good example of why the film fails to maintain a fluid storyline.

Verdict: Though it delivers laughs consistently throughout, and the actors deliver good performances, Extract's bland story drags the film into disappointing territory. ☆☆☆