inkblot11 Review of The Darwin Awards

The Darwin Awards (2006)

Academy Award caliber, no; Giggle Award caliber, YES YES YES

[8/10 · 6 September 2017]

Michael (Joseph Fiennes) has always been drawn to solving mysteries, since he was a boy. When he reaches adulthood, he becomes a criminal profiler for the San Fran police. He's good. Unfortunately, when he spies blood, our Mike faints straight away. Thus, when he does this at a wrong moment, allowing a perp to get away, he is let go. What other profession would be a good fit for his skills? Why, its insurance investigation. At first, a company leader (Kevin Dunn) tells Michael that there are no openings at present. But, after Mikey reveals all the man's secrets back to him, just by observing the boss and his surroundings, he is hired at once. Teaming up with a fellow investigator, Siri (Wynona Rider), they go on road trips to determine the settlement of claims. Siri instantly dislikes many of Michael's over cautious ways. But, after learning the correct happenstances of a man buried under a Coke machine (was it the machine manufacturer's fault or did the man trigger his own demise), Siri is impressed. Further trips uncover incredibly stupid folks. There's the man who claims his car was stolen but who is found to have accidentally let it sink while ice fishing. Then, there's the hilarious tale of the two morons in Nevada (one is played by David Arquette) who try for a speed record with a salvaged government rocket strapped to their car. When the duo finally ends up at the aftermath of a Metallica concert, where two imbeciles tried and failed to go over an extremely high wall to get in without tickets, Siri finally has her eyes on Michael. But, will it be love eternal? This dark, dark comedy has some objectionable language and scenes, on occasion, but is truly a laugh riot. Fiennes is adorable as the man who lives by the odds of accidents and Rider is cute as the somewhat jaded investigator. Arquette, Dunn, Tom Hollander, Lukas Haas, and all of the cameos, including Metallica itself, are a pleasure indeed. Then, too, the scenery is wonderful as it varies from snowy Minnesota to dry Nevada to lovely Oregon. Most importantly, the script is clever and funny while the direction never lags. Award yourself an evening of chuckles by finding the film soon.