National Lampoon's Gold Diggers

National Lampoon's Gold Diggers is a 2003 comedic film directed by Gary Preisler. The film stars well-known actors such as Will Friedle, Chris Owen, Louise Lasser, and Renee Taylor. While the storyline is built on a shallow and exciting surface, it cleverly manages to hit the mark of satire that has made National Lampoon movies so beloved. This absurdly funny comedy revolves around two twenty-something-year-old men and their schemes to make a quick fortune. The plot is full of unpredictable twists and turns, for better or for worse, in their relentless pursuit of an easy life.

In the movie, Will Friedle and Chris Owen play the characters of Calvin Menhoffer and Leonard Smallwood, respectively. Both protagonists are hapless, lazy and perennially down on their luck. They have no ambition or drive to lift themselves from the quagmire of their dead-end lives. Instead, they spend their days dreaming up get-rich-quick schemes in an attempt to bypass the hard work that traditionally accompanies the route to success.

The duo's latest scheme involves marrying two elderly sisters, Doris Mundt and Betty Mundt, portrayed by Renee Taylor and Louise Lasser respectively, who are presumed to be wealthy. The brothers-in-law hope that upon their new wives' inevitable death, they will inherit their riches and be able to live the life of luxury they've always dreamt about.

However, National Lampoon's Gold Diggers is not your typical romantic comedy filled with simple misunderstandings and feel-good moments. The narrative offers a unique twist to the gold digging scenario. Unknown to Calvin and Leonard, the Mundt sisters have their plans to exploit the situation, setting up the stage for a hilarious war of sorts, where money takes the center stage. Without giving too much away, let's just say that the ostensibly innocent and fragile elderly sisters might not be as helpless as they appear.

The humor throughout "National Lampoon's Gold Diggers" is decidedly off-color and targeted towards an adult audience. The humor ranges from the subtly cheeky to the overtly outrageous, from physical slapstick to clever verbal jibes. It often parades as trashy, but there is an underlying smartness to it that maintains its magnetism.

Director Gary Preisler sprinkles amusing side characters throughout the movie, providing relief to the main plotline and keeping viewers engaged with a variety of comedic situations. He obviously understands the comedy genre and uses this knowledge to keep the punchlines coming thick and fast from all possible directions.

The acting, especially by Friedle and Owen, is commendable. They both play their parts earnestly without any sign of condescension towards their characters. Despite their characters' seemingly unbelievable stupidity and lack of moral grounding, Friedle and Owen somehow manage to make them likable. Lasser and Taylor also deliver their performances with the perfect balance of innocence and cunningness, making their characters as remarkable as they are hilarious.

On a technical level, the movie is well-made. The cinematography successfully captures the lighthearted tone of the film. The costume design also deserves a special mention for adding an extra layer of fun to the characters, while the soundtrack adds humor and enhances the overall viewing experience.

While National Lampoon's Gold Diggers is not a cinematic masterpiece that will the change course of film history, it certainly showcases the classic comedy style of National Lampoon. It's a fun, easy-going movie that doesn't take itself too seriously. If you are a fan of National Lampoon style humor or just in need of a lighthearted, easy watch movie to enjoy on a relaxed evening, Gold Diggers could be for you. As with many comedies, it requires a certain taste for the absurd and a willingness to accept its blatant political incorrectness.

National Lampoon's Gold Diggers is sure to split audiences. Some viewers will love the outlandish plot and irreverent humor, while others may find it uncomfortable or distasteful. One thing is for sure - it's a movie that you won't forget in a hurry. Those who enjoy black comedy and appreciate humor that pushes boundaries will likely find this movie a hilarious and surprising adventure from start to finish.