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THE SUBURBANS should never have been made

Clint Morris | Avondale Heights, VIC Australia | 12/19/1999

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ben Stiller...big stars, this film could only be great, yeah?...wrong. A heap of talent wasted their time doing this piece of junk. It is a 70 min something comedy about a group of 80's rockers who decide to reform, and then decide not too. Love Hewitt is the sexy band manager, but what a useless role. Ben and Jerry Stiller are record execs, and filling out the band are Will Ferrel (A Night at the Roxbury), Craig Bierko (The Thirteenth Floor) and a couple of other familiar faces. Amy Brennemann (Casper, Daylight) plays a girlfriend of one of the band members. I dunno why Im wasting my time writing any more about this film, it's an unfunny waste of time."

Ever wonder what happened to your favorite 80's band?

cookieman108 | Inside the jar... | 10/06/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"While not the biting satirical look at an attempt to revive a one hit wonder eighties band I was looking for, this movie did have its' moments. Jennifer Love Hewitt plays Cate, a record company executive who comes up with the idea to revive an eighties one hit wonder pop group, The Suburbans, which basically imploded after suffering from the excesses that followed over night superstardom. This is met with reluctance from some of the members, but the more outspoken members drive what they see is a chance to see what they missed out on, believing that they can be successful. Donal Lardner Ward plays Danny, the quasi leader and lead guitarist who sees this as a sign relating his true path in life, especially since all of his post band ventures have failed. Tony Guma is Rory, the overweight balding drummer who sees this as an opportunity to cash in on the band to make some much needed money, as his poor financial decisions cost him all the money he made some twenty years prior of their one hit. Craig Beirko plays Mitch, the good looking lead singer who has never given up on being a rock star, and craves the fame they once had. Rounding out the band is the bass player Gil, played by Wil Farrell, who basically goes along with the rest of the guys, not really needing the money or fame, as he's finically secure, but doesn't want to let the guys down.There were some funny moments in the movie, especially when old tensions and habits within the band begin to surface, but the humor is tempered with the relationship problems between Danny and Grace (Amy Brennemen). This tended to dilute the comedic elements and almost work against the overall humorous tone of the movie. In one really, funny scene we see these middle-aged men try to recapture the look they once had, including hairstyles and wardrobe. Think Flock of Seagulls twenty years later and you'll get the picture. I felt Will Farrell wasn't used as well as he could have been. He's extremely funny, and could have brought a lot more to the movie with a better part. Jennifer Love Hewitt certainly brightens up the movie, adding lots of eye candy, playing the driven record company executive with an ulterior motive for seeing The Suburbans reunite. I have to admit, I had a really hard time picturing Hewitt playing someone who remembers a band from 1981, especially when I check her bio and find out she was born in 1979.The Suburbans started out on a strong note, but tended to trip on the subplots. A fun movie overall, but don't expect too much, and you won't be disappointed.Look for appearances by Robert Loggia, Antonio "Huggy Bear" Fargas as a club owner, Ben Stiller and Jerry Stiller as record executives, Kurt Loder as himself, and Bridget Wilson as Rory's girlfriend."

Surprisingly Funny and Entertaining

Todd and In Charge | Miami, FL | 10/03/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I do agree with the other reviewers that there was a lot more that could have been done with the premise, but for my money this was a light, enjoyable romp through the music biz, with an amazingly beautiful JLoveH, a funny-as-always Will Ferrell, and a hilarious turn by the father/son Stiller team.



Still, the anchor in all of this is Amy Brenneman, who turns in a deft, mature performance that keeps the film rolling over the sometimes spotty script and direction. Let me say this, too -- by the end of the movie you will love the Suburbans' one-hit song."

Suprisingly Re-watchable

S. Holman | OC, California | 06/01/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fantastic bit of 'hang-over Sunday' cinema. The Suburbans is extremely re-watchable, due entirely to charismatic performances by Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller, the underrated Craig Bierko, and even Jennifer Love Hewitt. This would have been a hit had the director not cast himself in the lead, but even he contributes a decent performance. This movie masters the art of combining goofy male performances with sexy, yet comically apt female performances by Amy Brenneman and Bridgette Wilson. Rent the Suburbans. It's one movie that will make you wonder why it was never a hit."