
Man’s quest for self-actualization is a struggle each and every human being goes through. How do we reach our full potential? What is our purpose on this Earth? What does it all mean? These questions are impossible to answer, but every once in a while a medium such as film can help one find the answers, and approaches the subject of man’s existence in a new and exciting way. Hot Tub Time Machine is an example of such a film.
It was German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche which introduced the idea of “Übermensch”, commonly translated to “Superman” or “Overman”. Who is this overman? To this day, many argue Nietzsche’s intention, but all can agree it is a goal for humanity. It is well known that Nietzsche was not a fan of the current state of organized religion, claiming in his work Thus Spoke Zarathrusta that it is common for man to turn to these entities in times of great stress so that there may another world where all things are better than this Earth. “God is dead”, spoke Nietzsche famously, and his philosophy of “Übermensch” is one very much of this world. Hot Tub Time Machine tells the universal tale of four men and their quest for self-actualization, which comes as a result of being taken back in time through a jacuzzi. They are not content with their current lives, and dream of a better one. There is an early scene in which the character Nick, played by Craig Robinson, pulls a key out of a dog’s rectum. Is this the key to his new, happier life? Alas, it is the key of a customer’s motor vehicle. The quest must continue.
The character Lou is played with particular emotional depth by Rob Corddy, who in the past was a reporter for the established news program The Daily Show, and has worked in other film masterpieces such as What Happens in Vegas. He is the most troubled by the failure his life has become, and after an attempted suicide, his friends Nick and Adam (the aforementioned Robinson and established thespian John Cusack, respectively) attempt to provide solace to their troubled friend by taking him on a journey to a travel destination often visited in their more youthful days. Joining them is Adam’s nephew Jacob (Clark Duke) for what is sure to be a weekend of tomfoolery so sublime that they cannot be helped but feel reinvigorated, yet the resort itself has not exactly achieved self-actualization.
However, within their residence there lies a hot tub, and it is revealed to in fact be a time machine. To what era does the hot tub take them? None other but the 1980’s, a time when the fear of the Soviet Union was being re-invigorated, and the musical stylings of acts such as Mötley Crüe were the preferred form of entertainment. The period aspect of the picture is most impressive. For surely, at this ancient time, there was not a person among all civilians that did not wear bright colors, and this is shown well here. At the resort at this time, a cultural event known as “Winterfest” is occurring, the main act being the musical quartet known as Poison. It is now the challenge of all four men to use this opportunity to claim the self-actualization that they were not able to attain during their first attempts at living.
Throughout this film the “grand profanity” as I call it is used early and often, much to the dismay of the elderly couple two rows behind me, and at its every utterance I heard a steady “tsk, tsk.” Also, every possible bodily excretion makes an appearance at least once, except for a certain moment when it is revealed a substance is, in fact, not the suspected liquid. Why do the filmmakers use such vulgarity? Let us not
(OK, here’s the real review. It’s alright, really. Rob Corddry is legitimately good here, for he is playing a character of more than one dimension, which most character’s here lack. This film borrows liberally from The Hangover and it shows. There are several moments of hilarity, but every once in a while they just fell flat. This movie is also more vulgar than it has to be, for I have never found projectile vomit funny. Many plot lines are introduced, but it never explores any of them deeply enough for one to get too involved. It’s a good time for the most part, though I wouldn't pay full price for a ticket. Either see a matinee or wait a couple of months to rent it. Good hunting.)
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