Get Him to the Greek: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Odyssey
A record label executive demands fresh ideas from his staff in a brainstorming session. Aaron Green, a humble and somewhat awkward employee, suggests a “comeback” concert for rock star Aldous Snow. His initiative is rewarded with the task of escorting the musician from London to the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. However, the mission is complicated by copious amounts of alcohol, drugs, groupies, and an unplanned detour to Las Vegas.
Vegas Detour
The original Russian title translates to “Nobody Runs Away from Vegas,” which doesn’t quite align with the plot of getting Aldous Snow to the Greek Theatre. While the title’s absurdity fits the film’s overall tone, it’s a curious choice. Judd Apatow, as both writer and producer, appreciates stories with hidden depths. Initially, the film seems to focus on the insecurities of an unlikely underdog. While these elements are present, they aren’t the central theme. The protagonist is thrust into a wild, uncompromising rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, punctuated by moments of heartfelt conversation. It feels as though Apatow occasionally intervened during filming, encouraging the cast to embrace the madness whenever the plot became too coherent. The characters’ drug-induced states are so authentic in certain scenes that it’s hard to imagine how they were achieved in a sober state. The hotel room trashing scene in Vegas is a definite highlight.
Familiar Faces
Russell Brand reprises his character Aldous Snow from “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.”
Sean “P. Diddy” Combs plays the record label executive.
Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Lars Ulrich make cameo appearances as themselves.
Satirical Edge
The film opens with a lengthy and sharp parody of music videos and celebrity tabloid news. The exaggerated rock ‘n’ roll antics that follow can be seen as an extension of this theme. As with other projects by Apatow, there’s a subtle, lyrical undercurrent that often takes precedence.
Apatow’s Team
Nicholas Stoller (writer and director) and Jason Segel (writer), who previously collaborated on “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” are responsible for the film’s blend of chaos and sentimentality. Jonah Hill, in a leading role this time, is also a regular in Apatow’s productions. The cast and crew clearly had a strong working relationship, characterized by humor and mutual understanding.
Verdict
The abundance of stimulants, exaggerated performances, rapid-fire dialogue, and crude humor are all fitting. The only slight excess is in the music.