Directed By: Morgan Spurlock
Producers: Jeremy Chilnick, Meri Haitken, Michael Rushton, Morgan Spurlock
Featuring: Morgan Spurlock, Zach Galifianakis, Will Arnett, Paul Rudd, Jason Bateman, Judd Apatow
Tribeca Film Festival
Running time: 84 minutes
Our Score: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Morgan Spurlock’s newest documentary, Mansome, isn’t so much about what it means to be A Man in the modern world as it is a chance for a group of eccentric subjects and celeb commentators to riff on the level of manscaping that’s going on. And as it involves a reunion of Arrested Development’s Bluth brothers, Will Arnett and Jason Bateman (also serving as executive producers), I’m pretty much fine with that.
Arnett and Bateman’s interactions frame loosely themed segments of the film focusing on things such as beards and hair products. The two men are having a spa day where they ponder the question of masculinity while they also take turns taking comedic jabs at each other. In a standout bit, they hold an impromptu challenge as to who can withstand the rougher massage. Other celebrity interviewees who aren’t exactly taking the subject at hand seriously include Paul Rudd and a hilarious Zach Galifianakis. All of Galifianakis’s answers drew big laughs and he later dominates the over-credits footage after the film. One can only hope there could be more, from all parties really, on the eventual dvd/blu-ray.
When not watching talking heads, the film follows a few men whose lives seem to center around maintaining their hair. Jack Passion is the World Beard Champion (that exists!) and we’re privy to one of their competitions (pageants?) in Germany. Shawn Daivari is a TNA wrestler whose quest to keep up with the hairless culture he works in means he must call in a buddy to shave his “ass shelf.” Ass shelf. Manscaping. This film’s educational value seems to rest on introducing new phrases to a wider audience. Though I could have lived without the creator of Fresh Balls ruining the term “bat wing” in this pre-Dark Knight Rises spring.
If neither of these sides of the doc sound like they appeal, or if you’re looking for the deeper cultural implications of well groomed men, perhaps it’s best to avoid Mansome. But it’s a light, amusing film that’s definitely worth checking out for comedy fans and anyone else who wants to gawk at some really elaborate beards.
Upcoming TFF Screenings of Mansom
Fri. 4/27 – 9:30pm, SVA-1
Sat. 4/28 – 3:00pm, AV7-1