The Cinema of the Four

Semi-Pro

There are times when the services of a cinematic consulting detective are completely unnecessary. When a movie is committed, and there is no ensuing mystery, no curiosity as to what is going on inside those darkened theaters, then the investigator of film finds little employment of his services. Such has become the case of any Will Farrell Sports Movie (TM). The deviously clever Farrell has so established his modus operandi, so publicly and so well, that almost every citizen of Lady Hollywood’s realm knows exactly what to expect from his next caper. His backers and his foes have already chosen their sides as staunchly as any political camp, and are unlikely to change at this point.

Since the good Watson IV has steadfastly refused to accompany me in following up a Will Farrell case, I find it a happy chance that I don’t leave writing up my cases to him, as my great-grandfather did with his great-grandfather. While I enjoy Farrell’s pawky and often surprising style of humor, Watson finds it both childish and beneath him. But as he has always found the mockery of buffoons somehow insulting, I suppose I could understand his feelings on the matter.

Farrell’s latest movie, “Semi-Pro,” follows the trail of “Talledega Nights” and “Blades of Glory” as faithfully as Toby the twenty-eighth (dog generations revolving a bit faster than human ones, of course) can follow a creasote trail. Its send-up of the seventies, basketball, and self-aggrandizement lets its star create a character that his fans will find enjoyably familiar and his foes will take as one more reason to avoid him. Is it funny? Oh, yes. It may not be non-stop hilarity, but when the laughter comes, it rolls on the way most comedies wish they could bring it.

But Will Farrell isn’t a one-man-show. I suspect that I laughed just as much as and as hard at his basketball team’s radio announcers, Dick Pepperfield and Lou Redwood, played by Andrew Daly and Will Arnett. They’re probably the most fun sports commentators since Bob Uecker took to the booth in “Major Leagues,” and Daly was a special favorite (Remember Ben Franklin from “The Office”? How about that over-friendly home-owner with the glasses who delightedly ordered nut clusters before heading into the bedroom to blow his brains out in “Reno 911”? That’s Daly.) Maura Tierney from “E.R.” shows up to play Woody Harrelson’s love interest (kind of a Karen Allen in “Animal House” role of the weary and wise ex-girlfriend). Rob Cordrey from “The Daily Show” delivers a pitch-perfect part as her sports fanatic live-in boyfriend (or husband . . . it pains me to say that I did not observe which).

For the movie investigator with an hour and a half to follow up slapstick, silliness, and a bit of wry, wry wit, all in all, “Semi-Pro” is not a bad case to look into.

What Great-grandfather Sherlock might have said:
“It would indeed be a triumphant ending to his excellent sporting record if he . . .”
(And then he would trail off . . .)