Jeff Tremaine is known for bringing “’Jackass” to the big screen. On October 25, 2013 he didn’t disappoint with his new, feature film, “Bad Grandpa,” which features Jonny Knoxville as an 86-year-old grandma, Irving Zisman.
The hidden camera aspect of the film is what keeps audiences coming back for more and can be thought of as an extreme version of Betty White’s television show “Off Their Rockers.”
The addition of a vulgar 8-year-old, Jackson Nicoll, this film brings on a new dynamic, and with it, more laughs.
The film’s website is filled with videos relating to the film, including Knoxville’s transformation into Irving and its high volume Twitter presence is also demonstrated.
So, what about “Bad Grandpa” makes it so funny? Imagine yourself working in a convenience store when an 86-year-old man walks in and begins to make himself a sandwich using items from your store that he hasn’t paid for. What do you do?
This is where the humor of “Bad Grandpa” comes to play. The audience can’t help but relate to the unknowing victims. The “what would you do” aspect of the film is what makes it so intriguing, and slightly uncomfortable, to audiences.
For another example, what would you do if an elderly man was attempting to ship his son in a box to another state? Would you let him do it or call the police? You’d like to think you’d make the right choice and call the police, but who can say how you’d really act in that situation?
Of course, there is the question everyone asks in these films: how angry are the victims of these pranks? The answer: thrilled. The anger, frustration, stress, or whatever it may be that they experience while being victimized by Irving automatically dissipates the second they realize they will be in a film alongside Johnny Knoxville.
Of course, Knoxville may be the star, but it’s hard to ignore Jackson Nicoll’s unbelievable knack for humor. In an interview with Knoxville, he described Nicoll as fearless. “He would insult you constantly, hit me in the zipper. I just fell in love with him,” Knoxvill said.
In terms of the risks of the film, Knoxville stated (in the same interview), “filming with an eight-year old, you really have to gauge people’s reaction. If I thought it was ever unsafe, then I was the first line of defense for Jackson.”
The addition of Nicoll definitely complicated the film, making safety more difficult than the pranks presented in “Jackass.” In this type of film, it is hard to know how people will react. However, without his presence, the film wouldn’t have been nearly as funny.
In all, “Bad Grandpa” is worth the money. Pay attention to little Jackson Nicoll, as his acting abilities really shine through in such a comically based film.
(For the full interview between JoBlo and Johnny Knoxville, visit http://www.joblo.com/movie-news/exclusive-11-interview-bad-grandpa-star-johnny-knoxville).
Photo Sources:
Photo One: http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/screencrush.com/files/2013/07/grandpa.jpg
Photo Two: http://filmracket.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/BadGrandpa2.jpg
Photo Three: http://www.reviewjournal.com/sites/default/files/field/media/web1_bad-grandpa.jpg