War Dogs

Jonah Hill and Miles Teller are both pretty hot property right now in Hollywood. Teller was snubbed for an Oscar nomination for 2014’s “Whiplash”, and Hill has shined in “Moneyball” and “Wolf of Wall Street”. A noticeably obese Hill is showing his range once again as Ephraim Diveroli, a loud, crass American who is equal parts stupid, brilliant, and ambitious. Miles Teller is David Packouz, a floundering kid who just wants to be successful enough to raise a family and feel respected. Together, they exude a juvenile, yet tenuous friendship and stumble into a gray area of success more than they earn it. They are hustling their way to the American dream, according to the film’s tagline.

The improbable true story of two twenty-something friends who earned untold millions through lucrative US military arms contracts in the wake of the second Gulf War is presented in a very fresh, hip way. Like last year’s “The Big Short”, the absurdity of the premise brings out the natural humor in the situation and everyone involved capitalizes to ramp up the energy and action until you are earnestly wondering how is it going to end? For a film that is really a gonzo buddy action comedy biopic, it has a surprising amount of tension.

The dramatic story would be ruthless if wasn’t funny. The two lead characters do a fantastic job of showing wide-eyed inexperience. It’s almost as if a couple of kids find themselves at the adult table at Thanksgiving. They don’t quite know what to do, but they are happy to be there, and are relishing the respect that comes with the opportunity.

Bradley Cooper injects some seriousness into what could easily go off the rails as a true comedy as the notorious arms dealer and public enemy Henry Girard, a role that he seems to be enjoying despite his lack of any noticeable expression.

Director Todd Phillips, who struck gold with his Hangover trilogy, shows promise for more than just raunchy comedy franchises. He’s evolving into something a bit more dramatic, and for that I admire his choice of project. He allowed just the right amount of comedy to endure the political, possibly anti-American message, sort of an exploitation of government procurement process. Much the way “The Big Short” dealt with the banking crisis with humor, “War Dogs” is a sharp and complete movie because of the soft edges.

Something that many films of this nature do well is using familiar classic rock songs, often with oddly relevant lyrics (Blue Oyster Cult’s Don’t Fear the Reaper being played in a retirement home). This is notably a Richard Linklater or Cameron Crowe move, but Todd Phillips nails the music. It really adds another level of fun to this movie.

The equalizer for me, regardless of genre of film is if it makes me really want to know how it ends. I hadn’t heard much about the story prior to screening, and although the previews definitely give a good impression of what to expect, I found myself really needing to find resolution as it was building to a climax. Beyond that, I thought Todd Phillips ended it very well; on a high note, a very satisfying conclusion.

One thing that might turn off some viewers is just how immature and brash Jonah Hill’s character is portrayed. The term ugly American comes to mind, and although it’s a compliment to his craft, it is a bit despicable on screen and leaves a bitter taste throughout.

With a slim variety of enjoyable films in wide release right now, I would definitely recommend checking “War Dogs” out. Especially if you’re looking for a cool place to get out of these hot summer afternoons. 8/10.