Just Add Water (I) (2008)

An offbeat romantic comedy about a decent guy, Ray Tuckby, with a dead-end life in the dead-end town of Trona, CA. After encouragement from a stranger whom he happens upon, Ray begins to dream again. He sheds the parasites in his life, musters the nerve to pursue his childhood love, and finally takes back his community by toppling the local teenage Meth-baron.

Director:

Hart Bochner

Writer:

Hart Bochner

Stars:

Dylan Walsh, Jonah Hill, Justin Long

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dylan Walsh	...	Ray Tuckby
Jonah Hill	...	Eddie
Justin Long	...	Spoonie
Danny DeVito	...	Merl Striker
Tracy Middendorf	...	Nora
Melissa McCarthy	...	Selma
Anika Noni Rose	...	R'ch'lle
Lindsey Axelsson	...	Chrisy
Will Rothhaar	...	Dirk
Joey Kern	...	Scotty
Penny Balfour	...	Charlene
Lee Garlington	...	Penny
Michael Hitchcock	...	Mark Tuckby
Tracey Walter	...	Clem (as Tracy Walter)
June Squibb	...	Mother

Storyline

Close to the entrance to Death Valley is the God-forsaken town of Trona. It's nearly empty: dry, with polluted water and poisoned soil. Dilapidated houses hold slackers and stoners. The town is virtually owned by Dirk, a heartless young meth dealer. In the midst of this lives Ray Tuckby, a naïf, unhappily married with a slothful son. The highlight of Ray's day is chatting with Nora, a clerk at the market. When Ray comes home early from work and finds his wife in bed with his brother, a few things start to change. Then he meets Merl, who's putting in a Chevron station, and Merl encourages Ray to dream. Can he? A recipe for meringue may hold one of the keys.

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Plot Keywords:

tollbooth guard | vigilante justice | california | drugs | middle age romance | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, some sexual content and drug material

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 March 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

One Part Sugar

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$625,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bleeding Hart Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[first lines]
Ray Tuckby: Thanks for coming. Would you like a receipt with that? Don't forget to take a mint.
Ray Tuckby: Thanks for coming. Would you like a receipt with that? Don't forget to take a mint.
Ray Tuckby: Thanks for coming. Would you like a receipt with that? Don't forget to take a mint.
Ray Tuckby: Thanks for coming. Would you like a receipt with that? Don't forget to take a mint.

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Soundtracks

"Cuts Like A Blade"
Written by Mark Petracca aka Dusty Wright
Performed by Dusty Wright
Courtesy of PetRock Records

User Reviews

Instant classic. I hate comparing, but it's this year's Juno...

I absolutely loved this film. It's endearing from beginning to end. Seeing it tonight at the DGA was a great way to spend the evening. I had no idea what I was walking into beyond the stellar cast comprised of Dylan Walsh, Tracy Middendorf, Danny DeVito and the ever beautiful Cerina Vincent. Rounding out the cast were a couple cameos including a great turn by uber-slacker Justin Long.

Funny. That's the underlying truth. But without the over-the-top syrup that comedies like this strive for. Dylan's stretching his legs into a new category of his career...a fine actor beyond the scope of Nip/Tuck. I'm anxious to see his role as the psychotic dad in The Stepfather remake lensing right now.

DeVito's voice-over carried the comedic scenes into a hilarious threshold and I found myself clapping while busting a gut at some of the sequences...including a nod at Blazing Saddles with a meth'd out woman punching a dog.

And Hart Bochner. What can I say? He forever left an image opposite Alan Rickman trying to broker a deal in the original Die Hard playing Ellis...well, chalk up his resume to a writer/director to watch in the coming years. He's transitioned quite well and created a gem of a little film.

Brilliant. Not to miss.