Truth in labeling. If Hollywood believed in the concept, Columbia Pictures’ perverse new teen comedy Saving Silverman would be rated “R-lite.” It’s There’s Something About Mary on a shorter leash.
Twentysomething pals Darren, Wayne and J.D. are inseparable. They drink beer together, watch football together and they all worship Neil Diamond. When Darren moves in with Judith (a manipulative vixen intolerant of their boyish bond), Nayne and J.D. plot to sabotage the romance and reroute Darren’s heart in the direction of an old flame named Sandy. It gets ugly. The dolts kidnap Judith and fake her death. Then they persuade nun-to-be Sandy to forsake the convent (she leaves a cussing mother superior at the altar). Before the end credits, everyone is paired off for a triple wedding—J.D. with a man.
One might expect considerable profanity, innuendo and anatomical slang in a puerile movie like this. Saving Silverman doesn’t skimp on it. There are also revealing outfits and shots of rear nudity. Somewhat surprising, however, is how warped much of the humor is. Sexual comments about a corpse. An angry coach impaling a ref. Shots of Darren having “butt-cheek implants.” There’s also a barrage of jokes dealing with masturbation, prostitution, pornography, defecation, cannibalism, homosexuality and dismemberment.
The notion that good friends will take extreme measures to rescue a buddy headed for marital disaster has merit. And comedic potential. But Saving Silverman aims so low that it shoots itself in the foot.