A family of deer hunters, one of them (Jeff Daniels) a buckless Yooper, ventures into deer camp for another year of hunting. But this year is special, with tradition thrown to the wind, and the coming of something special: God, aliens or worse!
The most difficult thing about trying to classify this movie is not figuring out what genre it is (clearly it is a comedy), but what subgenre? There are strong dramatic elements in here, but also a few ludicrous scenes where some horror or science fiction elements surface. So if someone asks what kind of comedy it is, there is no good way to answer that...
I live in Northeastern Wisconsin, so Yoopers (people who live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan) and deer hunting are commonplace where I live. And while the accents in this movie are greatly exaggerated (not unlike the accents in "Fargo"), much of what is shown is not far from the truth. This film really hit home for me, which helped on top of the already hilarious scenes. My second viewing was with a group of people who actually spend time in Escanaba, and they swear it is even more true than I happen to think it is.
Jeff Daniels strangely plays the "straight man" throughout most of this one, allowing those around him to provide the situations. Cousin Jimmers from Menominee is great as a wild man with a penchant for alcohol after being abducted by aliens. DNR Ranger Tom becomes possessed and strips to his skivvies. Porcupine urine and whiskey made out of sap are here, too.
The film is silly, but not stupid (like "Dumb and Dumber"). You will not have to spend all day thinking about what you saw, but you are also not going to be left with two brain cells left. As far as comedies go, this one has something for everyone -- the Goldilocks of comedies. I strongly support this film and hope it is only the beginning of a great career for Daniels.
The most difficult thing about trying to classify this movie is not figuring out what genre it is (clearly it is a comedy), but what subgenre? There are strong dramatic elements in here, but also a few ludicrous scenes where some horror or science fiction elements surface. So if someone asks what kind of comedy it is, there is no good way to answer that...
I live in Northeastern Wisconsin, so Yoopers (people who live in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan) and deer hunting are commonplace where I live. And while the accents in this movie are greatly exaggerated (not unlike the accents in "Fargo"), much of what is shown is not far from the truth. This film really hit home for me, which helped on top of the already hilarious scenes. My second viewing was with a group of people who actually spend time in Escanaba, and they swear it is even more true than I happen to think it is.
Jeff Daniels strangely plays the "straight man" throughout most of this one, allowing those around him to provide the situations. Cousin Jimmers from Menominee is great as a wild man with a penchant for alcohol after being abducted by aliens. DNR Ranger Tom becomes possessed and strips to his skivvies. Porcupine urine and whiskey made out of sap are here, too.
The film is silly, but not stupid (like "Dumb and Dumber"). You will not have to spend all day thinking about what you saw, but you are also not going to be left with two brain cells left. As far as comedies go, this one has something for everyone -- the Goldilocks of comedies. I strongly support this film and hope it is only the beginning of a great career for Daniels.