May 26, 2019
'The Hangover'
The Ringer's Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey try to figure out what happened last night as they talk about 'The Hangover' starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifinakas.
Cast
Bradley Cooper as Phil Wenneck
Ed Helms as Stu Price
Zach Galifianakis as Alan Garner
Justin Bartha as Doug Billings
Heather Graham as Jade
Ken Jeong as Mr. Chow
Jeffrey Tambor as Sid Garner
Rachel Harris as Melissa
Rob Riggle as Officer Franklin
Mike Tyson as Himself
Directed by: Todd Phillips
Written by: Jon Lucas, Scott Moore, Jeremy Garelick, Todd Phillips
Notes
- Todd Phillips negotiated 16% of the movie's gross instead of a standard directing fee – the film made $467 million worldwide on a $35 million budget, netting Phillips roughly $80 million.
- Ed Helms was actually missing an adult incisor in real life and had a dental implant – they simply removed the implant for the missing tooth scenes.
- Ed Helms was simultaneously filming The Office during Hangover production.
- The end-credit photo sequence was considered a stroke of genius – basically invented what Marvel later did with post-credits scenes.
- The movie was inspired by a real bachelor party gone wrong from producer Trip Vincent's life.
- Zach Galifianakis improvised the line 'I didn't know they gave out rings at the Holocaust.'
- Mike Tyson only agreed to appear after learning Todd Phillips directed 'Old School'.
- Jack Black turned down the role of Alan, Paul Rudd turned down Phil, Jeremy Piven turned down Stu, and Lindsay Lohan was almost cast as Jade.
- 'The Hangover' won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
- The original Jon Lucas & Scott Moore script sold for $2 million, but was substantially rewritten by Todd Phillips and Jeremy Garelick.
Categories
Roger Ebert's review
Quote from Rog's review:
“The Hangover is a funny movie, flat out, all the way through. The characters have been freed from the tyranny of the slob movie formula and allowed to be funny on their own terms.”
Ebert gave it 3.5 stars.
Most re-watchable scene
- Bill: The brunch scene with Carlos the baby – 'He's not on your guy's level yet.'
- Chris: The waking up in the hotel room sequence.
- Sean: The police precinct stun gun volunteer scene.
- Other contenders: Bryan Callen at the wedding chapel, the blackjack sequence, the wedding reception with the Dan Band.
What aged the best?
- Zach Galifianakis's breakout performance – he's still the funniest thing in it 10 years later.
- The soundtrack.
- The actual plot structure – a mystery told backward that keeps you engaged.
- The brevity at 1 hour 35 minutes.
- The end-credit photos.
What aged the worst?
- The end-credit photo surprise no longer being a surprise.
- Some of the Ken Jeong stereotyping.
- The Mike Tyson cameo losing its shock value.
- The sequels tarnishing the legacy of the original.
- Some casual homophobia in the dialogue.
Casting what-ifs
- Lindsay Lohan was almost cast as Jade.
- Jack Black turned down the role of Alan.
- Paul Rudd turned down Phil.
- Jeremy Piven turned down Stu.
Best "heat check" performance
- Ken Jeong leaping naked out of a car trunk.
- Rob Riggle as the stun gun cop.
Half-assed (internet) research
- Inspired by a real bachelor party gone wrong from producer Trip Vincent.
- Ed Helms was actually missing an adult tooth – they just removed his dental implant.
- Galifianakis improvised songs and the Holocaust ring line.
- The original script sold for $2 million.
Apex Mountain
- Todd Phillips – absolutely. Negotiated 16% of gross and made ~$80 million.
- Zach Galifianakis – went from niche comedy circuit to A-list comedy star.
- Vegas, possibly.
- Rob Riggle.
- Ed Helms.
Picking nits
- The hotel room costs $4,200 when it should be much more at Caesars.
- Alan doesn't look anything like his sister (the bride).
- How did they get a tiger into Caesars Palace?
- Nobody thought to check the roof for Doug.
- The $80,000 in chips should have been mentioned immediately.
- No rehearsal dinner for a Sunday wedding.
- A Sunday outdoor wedding at somebody's house – nobody wants to get married on a Sunday unless you're saving money.
- Stu hangs up on his girlfriend from the cop car and she apparently doesn't call back for hours.
(Probably) unanswerable questions
- Is there actually a real drug that makes you black out but still have fun for 8-9 hours straight? (No – this is not how being roofied works.)
- Does Alan die when Tyson hits him? Iron Mike could put somebody in the hospital even now.
- Should 'The Hangover' sequel have just been a blackjack card-counting movie?
Who won the movie?
- Sean: Bradley Cooper – when you look at what happened since, Cooper's career clearly wins.
- Bill: Todd Phillips – he made $70-80 million, you can't beat that.
- Chris: Zach Galifianakis – he's the funniest character, goes from random comedy circuit guy to A-list star, and he's still the funniest thing in it 10 years later.