Clueless

>> Saving Silverman is an uninspired teen comedy

by MATTHEW HAYS

 The press kit for Saving Silverman, the latest comedy aimed at a teen audience, states that the idea for the film came from a real-life experience. It appears that the screenwriters behind the movie, Hank Nelken and Greg DePaul, attended the engagement party of a mutual friend when they realized their buddy was totally marrying the wrong woman. Hey, they thought to themselves, this would make a great movie!

 Which is funny in itself, because watching Saving Silverman, it's hard to believe anything resembling a thought process was behind this thing. The film has Silverman (American Pie's Jason Biggs) estranged from his two buddies (Steve Zahn and Jack Black) after Silverman falls for a manipulative psychiatrist (Amanda Peet). The girl is simply not impressed with their adoration of Neil Diamond, their rampant beer drinking, their nasty, sloppy apartment and general goofy manner. It's them or me, she tells Silverman, and he chooses the object of his romantic affection.

 Saving Silverman then veers off into virtually every direction imaginable, tossing in el-cheapo gags involving sexual hijinx, absurd coming-out stories, crude racial stereotypes and a lame-ass kidnapping subplot. "Disciplined writing" aren't exactly words that spring to mind, but many stoned audience members might not notice the difference anyway.

 There are a few endearingly stupid moments that manage to puncture all this mediocrity. In particular, the spirited performances of the three leads deserve praise. Black and Zahn are often hilarious, exuding a lack of brain power that's predictable in a film like this, but somehow still manages to pull off some laughs. Zahn, however, risks getting pigeonholed; this is much the same role he played in Happy, Texas.

 The best parts of the film involve the trio performing as a Neil Diamond cover band. Saving Silverman's climax includes a cameo by the man himself. The press kit boasts that this is the first time Diamond has appeared in a film in 20 years. They don't mention which film he was last in though: that utterly abysmal remake The Jazz Singer. Saving Silverman may prove even less memorable. :

 Saving Silverman opens Friday, Feb. 9

 

The Gift opens Friday, Jan. 19