Now here is a film that has its tone captured wonderfully by its title. John Cusack, Rob Corddry and Craig Robinson are three middle-aged guys desperately depressed with their existence. That sounds like it could be some sort of melodrama – until you read the title. This is all part of the dumbed-down brilliance of Hot Tub Time Machine… yes I said “brilliance” and “Hot Tub Time Machine” in the same sentence.
Corddry is the resident “group asshole” who, mentally, has never left that wonderful part of the 80s when he and his two buddies lived it up. After a failed suicide attempt, he convinces Cusack and Ferguson to relive their glory days in the party resort that defined their youth. But when they get there they find a shithole well past its finer days. Luckily, the aforementioned hot tub (and strangely, Chevy Chase) takes them back to heyday in 1986. Sex, drugs and Black Eyed Pea cover songs ensue.
I’ve always said that if there’s one thing worse than a bad movie, it’s a pretentious movie. This is a film that sold itself as exactly what it was from the start and delivers an abundance of laughs; all of this happens around quite possibly the most nonsensical plot in recent memory. But it’s so utterly ridiculous that none of that matters. The laughs come thick and fast and like all true cult films, the rewatchability is very strong.
Put it this way; if someone you know went to see Hot Tub Time Machine, or rented it of their own accord, and didn’t like it then you should stop being friends with that person. It’s a stupid movie, but – and I really mean this – a wonderfully stupid movie with an impressively high laugh rate.
If you liked Old School, The Hangover or any other flicks of that ilk, then you need to watch Hot Tub Time Machine pronto.
For more cult films, check out the Jameson Cult Film Club.
