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Extract
By John Mulderig
Source: Catholic News Service
Jason Bateman and Mila Kunis star in a scene from the movie "Extract." |
"Extract"
(Miramax), writer-director Mike Judge's comic portrait of a personally and
professionally beleaguered entrepreneur, boasts some undeniably clever
dialogue, and its story line moves toward a generally moral wrap-up. But the
antic proceedings also showcase skewed marital values, with adultery treated as
fodder for laughs.
Successful
self-made businessman Joel (Jason Bateman), whose company produces flavor
extract for cooking, is burdened with a factory full of squabbling employees.
When their quarrels lead to an industrial accident that wounds good ol' boy
Step (Clifton Collins Jr.) in a particularly sensitive area, Joel and his No.
2, Brian (J.K. Simmons), fear that the fallout could spoil a pending deal to
sell the concern.
At home,
Joel is contending with wife Suzie's (Kristen Wiig) recent lack of interest in
joining him in the bedroom, a development that has left him not only
frustrated, but drawn to Cindy (Mila Kunis), an attractive newcomer to his
workforce.
Joel
confides his troubles to his best friend Dean (Ben Affleck), the bartender at a
local sports lounge. Dean comes up with a convoluted scheme to have a young
gigolo named Brad (Dustin Milligan) seduce Suzie so that Joel can stray with
Cindy guilt-free. With his mind muddled by a combination of alcohol and a
sedative Dean gave him to calm his nerves, Joel agrees.
He
repents the next morning, but the plan is already in motion.
Further
complicating matters, as some early scenes have shown the audience, the
ostensibly sympathetic Cindy is, in reality, a ruthless con artist whose
arrival at the plant is part of a plot to manipulate Step into suing Joel, so
that she can make off with the injured man's award money.
While the
tale concludes on a note of forgiveness and reconciliation, and most of the
sinful behavior is shown to be emotionally damaging, in at least one instance
Judge's script gives infidelity a pass. It also includes a recurring gag about
the name of a punk band that, although meant to satirize the musicians
themselves, is both obscene and extremely sacrilegious.
The film
contains adultery, a repeated blasphemous joke, much sexual humor, some
profanity and rough language, and frequent crude and crass terms. The USCCB
Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is O—morally offensive. The
Motion Picture Association of America rating is R—restricted; under 17 requires
accompanying parent or adult guardian.
- - -
Mulderig
is on the staff of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S.
Conference of Catholic Bishops.
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