This is going to be quite a different review than usual. Since this movie still has yet to come out until this weekend in theaters and Apple+, this is going to be a more brief review and not necessarily one that goes too deep into the actual film itself.
For those who may not know, Regal Cinemas hosted a Mystery Monday movie night this week where there was an early screening for an upcoming movie that had yet to be released everywhere but would not reveal what movie you were actually watching until the actual movie itself started playing. The movie that I got to watch Monday was no other than The Greatest Beer Run Ever, the upcoming feature staring Zac Efron, Russell Crowe, and Bill Murray with Peter Farrelly returning to the director’s chair after his infamous best picture winner in Green Book.
Just know in the future if I’m able to see movies early, I will probably make reviews similar in this format so I don’t give too much away but give enough to express my opinion as to whether or not I believe the movie itself is worth seeing. Now, let’s actually jump into the actual movie.
The Greatest Beer Run Ever is based off the book of the same name by Joanna Molloy and tells the true life tale of John “Chickie” Donohue (Zac Efron), a young veteran who sneaked into the Vietnam War to deliver the soldiers beers as a means of showing his appreciation and gratitude to those fighting in the army for America’s freedom. Along the way, he runs into civilians such as Arthur Coates (Russell Crowe) along with getting into the action a bit with his fellow comrade soldiers as he discovers the consequences of war and how everyone in and outside the media responds to it.
I’m going to be straight and upfront here, this story feels so bizarre and baffling to be considered true. It’s so odd how we are suppose to see and view Donohue as some kind of hero despite putting himself and many others lives in peril along with committing illegal acts (including personating a CIA agent) just to deliver beer to his buddies. I understand he wanted to show his respect to those who fought on the battlefield but I’m pretty sure, even in 1967 (which is the year this movie is set in btw), there were other, much safer methods to get that message across. Couldn’t you just sent a postcard or a package that included beer to the army? This feels like the mindset of a child, one that thinks they can just go and do whatever they want without realizing you could get yourself and others killed. I can’t say for certain this is how everything played out in real life but if this movie made me want to think of Chickie as some saint, then it failed spectacularly.
Speaking of the actual movie itself, it more or less, comes across with the same level of quality as Green Book, widely considered to be one of the worst movies to every win best picture. By this I mean, that it’s a safe, surface level picture which has a warm enough tone and great performances that it might be enough for the movie going audience to have a good time with but handles it’s bluntly obvious themes in a very straight forward and problematic way that it will likely make film bluffs roll their eyes. Just like how Green Book didn’t have much to offer other than stating “racism and homophobia are bad”, the central message of The Greatest Beer Run Ever doesn’t amount to more than simply “war is bad” from the point of view from both sides.
If there is one saving grace that ultimately saves the picture from being completely insufferable, it’s Zac Efron’s clearly passionate performance as Chickie himself. Efron has shown to be a proven charming talent with enough comedic and dramatic chops to carry anything and it’s definitely on full display here. He is able to add more likability and presence to his character than the script gives him any right to have and provides most of the best laughs in the movie. Russell Crowe is also a solid presence here as a civilian photographer who becomes more important in the second half in the film while barley having any presence in the first half. The other cast members are fine here as well but none of them really stands out in any meaningful way since there are only really a handful of scenes dedicated to them, mostly speaking to Chickie himself about what he should if and when he goes to Vietnam.
The direction and feel of the picture also feels all over the pace from Peter Farrelly. While it has a tone that is lighthearted and warm enough that it fits well for a crowd pleasing entertainment, many of the dramatic and intense bits fall flat as there are times where it’s unclear how the audiences are suppose to be feeling during certain giving moments. An example of this is when Chickie is out on the battlefield with his buddy from home, what should consist of an intense and emotional moment is undermined by inappropriately placed music and camera movement that doesn’t so much seem as if they are running through No Man’s Land itself but on a theater stage. Farrelly is clearing aiming for a comedy-drama vibe here, while he may have excels at the former half of that, he fails spectacularly at the latter half of it.
In the end, while I can’t say I hated myself watching this or that I didn’t get some amusement and chuckles out of it, The Greatest Beer Run Ever makes for a rather uneven experience. It’s lighthearted nature and a good lead performance by Zac Efron helps carry the picture to the finish line that I would expect audiences might have a good time when they are watching it. However, the further they get away from the movie, the more they’ll see the overall faults with the movie with it’s inconsistent direction, flat dramatic and emotional beats, simplistic messages executed in the most simplistic way possible, and it’s real-life protagonist that really shouldn’t be seen as a hero or a saint in any way.
Unlike Green Book, I can’t imagine this gaining much controversy come Oscar time as I highly doubt that Farrelly will be able to make lighting strike a second time with the Academy. However, if you are looking for a night out with your buddies, it can actually make for a good time…..if you’re drunk.
Other comments:
- And yes, I did just blantaly steal that last line from Jeremy Jahns! Come at me!
- That’s all I got!
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