God Bless America (2011) starring Joel Murray, Tara Lynne Barr, Melinda Page Hamilton, Mackenzie Brooke Smith directed by Bobcat Goldthwait Movie Review

God Bless America (2011)   4/54/54/54/54/5


Joel Murray in God Bless America (2011)

Yellow Chevrolet Camaro Driver

Frank (Joel Murray) is an insomniac who spends all night channel hopping in despair at the moronic garbage which fills ever TV station from dirty girls to singing contests where they humiliate those who don't realise they can't sing. When the TV isn't doing his head in there are his self obsessed neighbours whose baby's screaming keeps him awake all night. It is not just the neighbours as his ex-wife has let their daughter become a spoiled brat who won't come and stay with him. When at work Frank gets fired because his gift of flowers to an upset woman is classed as sexual harassment it pushes him over the edge and he steals his neighbours Yellow Chevrolet Camaro to go on a mission to kill the most annoying members of society, aided by Roxy (Tara Lynne Barr) a 16 year with an equal loathing of modern America.

I reckon if you mention the name Bobcat Goldthwait to people most of those who recognize his name would know it from when he played Zed in the "Police Academy" movies. In truth that is what I always thought of when I heard his name but now that has changed as now I think of "God Bless America", a brutal swipe at the way society in America has become. And trust me when you watch "God Bless America" you will never forget it even if you only make it through the first few minutes with what is a suggestively shocking scene which immediately makes you wonder how far Goldthwait is willing to push the boundaries of taste.

Tara Lynne Barr in God Bless America (2011)

In truth the best part of "God Bless America" is the opening half as Goldthwait rips to shreds everything which is bad about society these days. We have obnoxious people on reality TV who seem to thrive on being as rude as possible, we have the humiliation of the naive on talent shows, and we have the popularity of this sort of thing with the public who enjoy watching other's humiliation. The neighbours who don't give a damn about anyone other than themselves along with a doctor who is to busy with his own life to do his job properly. And I could keep on going because Goldthwait is ruthless in showing how sad society has become with it being self centred, celebrity obsessed with celebrities being anything but stars.

What follows on from Goldthwaite's society ripping opening is a man and a girl with some guns seeking out to eradicate society of those who deserve to die with one very special target in Frank's eyes. Like with the opening scene Goldthwaite is not a man to hold back and he pushes the boundaries of taste with plenty of blood shed which might make some people very uncomfortably. This is definitely the case when Frank and teenage Roxy team up because any movie involving adults and teens even older ones is playing with acceptability, although Joel Murray and Tara Lynne Barr make a weirdly brilliant pairing.

What this all boils down to is that "God Bless America" is a wonderful roasting of modern culture and celebrity obsessed society. It does push the boundaries in places which I am sure some will find uncomfortable but then it is meant to be whilst also darkly funny.


LATEST REVIEWS