Take the 10

The 2017 movie Take the 10, directed by Chester Tam, is a quintessential buddy comedy-fest that marries elements of crime, thrill, and slapstick humor into one delectably fun package. Despite flying under the radar for most movie enthusiasts, Take the 10 builds on the charm of its leads and a wonderfully interspersed narrative that keeps the audience guessing and chuckling.

What makes Take the 10 stand out from many movies in the same genre is its setting. Set in the Southern California landscape, the entire tale plays out along the infamous Route 10 freeway, giving the movie its unique title. The intrigue lies in how the narrative weaves across this intricate world, introducing a diverse and often amusing array of characters driven by their personal motivations as they traverse this urban jungle.

Leading the film's narrative is the duo of Chester Tam and Tony Revolori, who portray low-wage supermarket employees Chester and Chris. Josh Peck's Chester is an everyday man with an upbeat nature, trapped in a mundane job, while Tony Revolori's Chris, is an ambitious yet naive youth, dreaming of better days. Their contrasting personalities provide a robust platform for the comedy to springboard off, merging their individual comedic strengths to create a beautifully seamless effort.

Persistent in their pursuit of escaping the monotony of their everyday job, this quirky duo stumbles upon concert tickets to their favorite band. However, procuring these tickets paints a target on their backs and introduces a rogue lineup of antagonists including drug lords, a distressed manager, and a violently disgruntled stripper.

As the two desperate buddies navigate through an increasingly complicated scenario, the movie shifts up a gear. Leaving their uneventful lives behind, Chester and Chris find themselves plunged deep into a world of crime and chaos they never imagined they’d be part of. Their adventure meanders through dark humor, escalating stakes, and a non-linear storytelling style, keeping the audience on their toes.

Kevin Corrigan is splendid as Boris, the offbeat criminal mastermind whose unpredictability adds an exciting edge to the narrative. His interactions with the lead duo inject chaos, and a distinct flavor of eccentric humor that negates the danger of their precarious predicament.

The movie doesn’t solely stand out for its responses to these eccentric crises alone. A large part of its appeal lies in how it delves into character development, offering surprising layers of complexity to its wide cast of characters. This character study transcends what’s usually expected in a comedy film, thereby making it a refreshing watch.

It's worth highlighting the film’s unique storytelling pacing. Using flashbacks to fill gaps in the narrative, it tends to skip around the timeline frequently. This non-linear storytelling style is quite instrumental in keeping the audience engaged, always curious about where the plot would spring to next. Watching the story unravel is akin to piecing together a jigsaw puzzle in the most fun manner possible.

On a deeper level, Take the 10 explores themes of friendship, crime, ambition, and the pursuit of happiness in its subtle narrative undercurrent. The relationship dynamics, the choices made, and the turn of events all offer deeper commentary on taking risks and chasing the illusion of a better life.

The dialogue is laugh-out-loud funny, bouncy with a certain rhythm that complements the chaotic unfolding of events. The cinematography is crisp, leveraging the colorful urban landscape of Southern California. Containing an ensemble supporting cast, including Andy Samberg and Fred Armisen, every performer manages to leave a lasting impression in their given roles, no matter how brief.

In conclusion, Take the 10 stands as a refreshing entry into the genre of comedy. The movie cleverly incorporates an unusual comedy style whilst drawing one into a labyrinthine plot that seems as enthralling as it is unpredictable. If you're in the mood for a film that perfectly blends comedy with an underpinning of crime-infused adventure, Take the 10 is a joyful romp worth taking. It’s a slice of life story with enough twists and turns to keep the viewer entertained from start to finish.