Entourage…a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
It matters not whether you followed the long running TV series on which this movie is based.
From its clever opening credits to snappy one liners, it’s nonstop entertainment as the protagonists’ back stories are quickly established.
While it’s not one for careful dissection over coffee, it has heart, a great soundtrack and, well, it is funny.
The story picks up a few days after the series ended. Megastar Vince (Adrian Grenier) is offered the lead in the first film his ex-agent, Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven) is greenlighting now that he heads a movie studio.
Vince also wants to try his hand at directing – something which leaves high–octane Ari speechless for once. Fast forward six months and Eric, aka E (Kevin Connolly), the movie’s producer, needs a little more money – $15 million actually – to finish it.
It’s up to Ari to get it. What he has to go through – without being allowed to see even a rough cut – gives the story its focus and energy.
It is slick, fast-moving and full of quick cameos from actors and sports stars playing themselves. See how many you can spot before the credits roll.
Vince and his tight crew include Vince’s older brother, hack actor Johnny Drama, (Kevin Dillon) who hopes that his crucial scenes in the movie will lift his low profile. He nearly blows it when a very embarrassing sex tape goes viral.
Turtle (Jerry Ferrara) who has slimmed down heaps and made squillions from a tequila deal, develops a crush on real life mixed martial artist, Ronda Rousey, a kickass babe. He still drives Vince around.
Financing the film is billionaire Larsen McCredle (Billy Bob Thornton). When Ari, the consummate wheeler-dealer, realises he has to fly to Texas to beg McCredle for the extra $15 million, he is aghast.
“Do you know what they do to Jews in Texas”? he says.
Key players from the series include E’s pregnant ex-partner Sloan (Emmanuelle Chriqui), Mrs Ari (Perrey Reeves) who still drags him to couples therapy and Lloyd, (Rex Lee) Ari’s gay ex-assistant, who wants Ari to give him away at his wedding.
Sure, there are plenty of bikini girls and fancy cars, but blow away the froth and it’s about loyalty and relationships.
4/5 Rated MA15+ 104 mins In cinemas June 4
Starring Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara, Adrian Grenier, Jeremy Piven
Directed by Doug Ellin
Written by Doug Ellin and Rob Weiss
