Jack Black tries to give his usual obnoxious type some sweetness, but fails miserably. He plays a loser who decides to boost attendance at his 20th high school reunion by getting the school’s coolest guy (James Marsden) to come back from LA, where he’s a “successful” actor. What had potential for humor gets darker and darker until it’s just uncomfortable and mean. Black never creates a likable person, which makes his plight even more desperate. Marsden doesn’t mine any of the satirical potential in his character’s arrogance. No humor. No sympathy. Just a “Train” wreck.
(1 / 5)