I HOPE THEY SERVE BEER IN HELL (USA 2009) *
Directed by Bob Gosse

It would be simple to dismiss I HOPE THEY SERVE BEER IN HELL as male-chauvinist, politically incorrect, annoying rubbish.  But since it is adapted from the Tucker Max book which consists of male tales of debauchery and belligerence and based on totally dislikable characters one might conclude that perhaps the film is quite good in that it achieves its aim.

I HOPE THEY SERVE BEER IN HELL is based on one story called ‘the Austin Road Trip story’ from the book.  Here, Tucker Max (Matt Czuchry) and his friends (Jesse Bradford and Geoff Stults) end up at an out-of-town strip joint with a no no-touch policy.  Gosse has lots of opportunity here for the display of the talents of the ‘unlikable trio’.

Gosse’s film provides insight on the American male.  Unfortunately these insights involve their view on women, their drinking and sexual behaviour and verbal intercourse – all totally meaningless lessons.  The film’s characters all speak and argue in the same way – or rather in the author’s way.  The main three actors spew their intricately written lines confidently.  But perfect delivery of dialogue does not constitute acting.

But for a film that is supposedly focused on the author’s humorous excess, the film is noticeably unfunny.  Worst still is the redemption portion of the film when Tucker delivers a monologue at the wedding which he is banned from attending.  Gosse’s has left out the laughs with the result of a serious film based on comedic exploits.  I HOPE THEY SERVE BEER IN HELL is not a comedy but a dramatic moral tale – but one that is boring as hell and one that does not get its ‘message’ across.  There is more fun dodging puke on the sidewalk in the early hours of the morning in the peeler bar district than watching this movie.