“Bad Words” Spells Success

By Ashley Wilens 03-21-14 

Jason Bateman in “Bad Words.”
Photo Credit: Sam Urdank/Focus Features.

Rude, offensive, sexist, racist, brash and quite possibly the best comedy of the year.

“Bad Words” is Jason Bateman’s directorial debut about a 40-year-old loser attempting to win a prestigious spelling bee competition as an adult.

Bateman also stars in the film, Guy Tribly, whose mysterious motives for entering this middle school competition is not only unknown to the audience but to the slightly neurotic reporter, Jenny Widgeon, played by Kathryn Hahn. Jenny is Guy’s partner in crime, as she follows his short-lived spelling bee career, desperately trying to figure out why he put himself in this bizarre situation.

From the first shot to the end credits, this movie will have you laughing in your seat so hard your insides will hurt. Despite its humor, this film is not for everyone and can be considered a very niche type of comedy along with movies like “Superbad” and “Knocked Up.”

Bad Words relies heavily on offensive, politically incorrect satires, making fun of fat kids and more. Indian peer/spelling bee rival Chaitanya Chopra (Rohan Chand) and Guy’s chemistry elevates the humor and adds a necessary amount of heart to a movie filled with cynicism and nefarious intentions.

“Bad Words” also shines a light on the darker side of this deceivingly good-natured, healthy competition.  It highlights the ridiculous pressures and impossible standards adults put on these young children, and the overzealous nature of parents whose actions are just as repulsive as Guy’s.

“Bad Words” is very much a revenge flick that oddly enough leaves the audience with a very encouraging message. In life, some things are left unsaid and unsatisfied and that winning is in the means and not the end.