The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard

This is the funniest used car sales comedy ever. Period. This might not be saying much, but this all star cast is perfectly assembled to complement each other and the gut busting laughs come whizzing by at a mile a minute.

the story focuses on a used car lot in Temecula that is struggling. The owner, in dire financial straits decides to bring in a group of professional "mercenary" salesmen and woman led by Don "the Goods" Ready.

The car sales angle is the perfect backdrop for an endless barrage of jokes and more subtle humor, and the characters' personalities are almost farcical in their delivery. Reminiscent in some ways of Anchorman, it is from the same production group - the anti-Apatow (although he did have his hands in Anchorman) crew that in many ways surpasses his regular group's humor by dumbing it down and throwing everything at you at once from all sides. Adam McKay, and Will Ferrell are two of the masterminds behind this little bit of comic brilliance, and Jeremy Piven heads a cast that I could rave about for days.

This film marks the coming out performance for Kathryn Hahn who is the female salesperson whose witty banter with the salesmen and customers and attempted seduction of a 10 year old boy (it's not as bad as it sounds) is comedy gold. Equally great is James Brolin who takes a chance as the owner who has a hidden agenda that inspires at the very least a smile just about every time he is on screen. Then there is David Koechner. Working tirelessly since starting his career in TV and film in 1995, he's been in nearly 100 shows or films since then. His breakout role came in Anchorman, and as a staple of the McKay/Ferrell team now, his role as the slick finance specialist is exceptional.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised overall with the quality of this film, but there was one thing that detracted from the non-stop laugh-fest. Jeremy Piven is a funny man. Although possibly arrogant and egotistical in real life, his Ari Gold character on Entourage is one for the ages, and his supporting roles have always been energetic and have added substance to the films he has appeared in. However, as the star of this movie, I found myself getting tired of him. He should stick to the supporting roles, he just isn't leading man material. You can't blame him for taking the payday, and he chose a great film to headline, but it just didn't seem right.

The writing was outstanding. Reminiscent of the Zucker or Farrelly movies of years past (whatever happened to the Farrelly brothers?) where the dialogue had layers of humor that just never stopped. There were some lines that were placed so intentionally that it is almost comic science at its best.

I would go as far as to say that this film rivals the Hangover for most fun so far this year. Of course, I have a soft spot for dirty humor. 8/10.