Steven Brill, Drillbit Taylor

Photo Credit: Kathryn Durfee

by Chris Flippo
03/23/2008

The ads for Drillbit Taylor announce that it is the new comedy from Judd Apatow, even though his role is just limited to producer. Unlike previous films that had the director’s Seal of Approval, Drillbit Taylor isn’t as funny or as polished. Though its easy-going nature almost salvages it, Drillbit Taylor proves that the Apatow brand can, occasionally, turn out a disappointing film.

Drillbit Taylor begins on a charming enough note. Wade (Nate Hartley) and Ryan (Troy Gentile) talk on the phone about their first day of high school. Like all kids (and most adults), they hope to meet girls and gain popularity. This is probably the best part of the film. Sure, its Superbad with soft, PG-13 language, but it works all the same. Their dynamic is so similar that I have a feeling that, if the film followed them for four more years, these characters would pretty much turn into Jonah Hill and Michael Cera.

Its on their first day, however, they realize that their actual high school experience will be far different than the one they imagined. After Wade stands up to a pair of bullies, the two become the target for an assortment of abuses, including (but not limited to) wedgies, swirlies, Indian burns, and the dreaded Hertz Donut. Pooling their money, they decide that to hire a bodyguard.

Enter Drillbit Taylor (the invaluable Owen Wilson). Living out of a tent on the beach, Drillbit is short on cash and sees these kids as an easy source of income. Though he initially thinks this will be just a one-week gig, friends convince him that the kids could provide him a few hundred bucks on a regular basis. Why would anybody pass up such an easy con? Any student of Screenwriting 101 could guess that Drillbit eventually takes a liking to the kids.

What made past Judd Apatow films such a treat in the past were their delicate balance between raunchy jokes and heart. Though regulated to a teenager-friendly PG-13, the film wasn’t expected to contain the same sort of blue humor, but that’s no excuse for the characters to be so poorly drawn. Though Wilson is always game, the Drillbit character is not as endearing as the other heroes from the Apatow catalogue. Remember the hotel scene from Knocked Up? Remember how easy it was to relate to the characters after that scene? Well, Drillbit Taylor never gives its title character that moment where the audience is completely on board. Its content to give the audience a steady stream of one-liners, not all of them hitting the intended target. Its 2008 and we’re still getting wedgie jokes? Really?

Though the film making frequently falls short, Drillbit Taylor is able to get a considerable amount of comedic mileage just on the charm of its star. Owen Wilson has real talent, but not enough film makers know how to use it. Most of the time he is regulated to the sidekick position (Anaconda, The Haunting) or, even worse, has been forced to take the uneasy role of Bland Leading Male (Behind Enemy Lines). Give the devil his due. He was able to give stuffy Wes Anderson films a sense of buoyancy. Not just anybody can do that.

However, before you completely write off the film, Drillbit Taylor may be a disappointment, but it’s a hard film to actually dislike. Its too good-natured. The film may be a dog, but it’s a puppy all the same. My twelve-year-old self would have enjoyed this film immensely, even if he wouldn’t remember it before he turned thirteen.

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