DVD Movie Review - Better Living Through Chemistry

Better Living Through Chemistry is a dark comedy about how mixing adultery and drugs can sometimes…be a really good thing.

STORY:

Doug Varney (Sam Rockwell) has gone through life trying to please everyone, especially his wife Kara (Michelle Monaghan).  He eats when she tells him to eat.  He exercises when and how she tells him to exercise.  And besides running her father's pharmacy business, he spends the rest of the time doing whatever his wife tells him needs to be done.  But all of that comes to a dramatic halt when Doug knocks on Elizabeth's (Olivia Wilde) door to deliver a prescription.  All of Doug's insecurities and worries go completely out the window, because Elizabeth is a trophy wife and she needs attention.  And Doug just happens to be the perfect attention.  Chemistry—in every sense of the word—takes over and Doug's life quickly begins to spiral out of control.  Adultery, medications, curious unicorns, fecal smearing, ninja code, and spandex bike riding ensue.

What?  You act like you've never seen a man trying to better himself through a healthy workout.

THOUGHTS:

Sam Rockwell is one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood.  Now, if you just read that sentence and thought, "Who the hell is Sam Rockwell?" then maybe this movie isn't for you.  Rockwell is the whole story, and if you can't stand the actor or don't find anything he does funny—especially his darker comedies like Seven Psychopaths or Choke—then there's no need to read any further.  But if you think the man is one hell of a character actor, then this movie should definitely be on your watch list.

Better Living Through Chemistry is a comedy that pokes fun at just about every facet in life.  The movie starts innocent enough, by showing Doug getting shot down by his wife in the first 30 seconds of film.  And as the minutes roll by she just treats him worse and worse.  But then he meets Elizabeth, who easily teaches him about all the niceties he's been missing in life, like taking drugs (Doug knows all about mixing them for different highs, lows and effects, but never thought to try his own supply), rough sex, style, wreaking havoc, and dancing in your underwear.  And watching Rockwell transition from a nice, sweet Doug, into a kiss-my-ass-I'll-do-what-I-want Doug is extraordinary.  He becomes the funniest prick you'll ever meet and the movie really begins to shine because of these scenes.

"You're going to have to speak up, because the Xanax I just snorted 

has clogged my ears."

Olivia Wilde is cast as Elizabeth Roberts, a reckless wife with blasé manners, alcoholic tendencies, a vulgar mouth, and extremely high eyebrows.  Wilde fits the role of rich, exotic, medicated seductress perfectly, and after seeing her in lingerie, not even nice-guy Doug can turn her down.  The chemistry between the two is classic, and when they start downing more and more pills without worrying about consequences, the movie goes from smart comedy to over-the-top hilarity.  Sure, the old cliché, "let's get rid of the rich husband (played by Ray Liotta, who surprisingly, does not portray a mobster) so we can run away together with all his money" does come up, but it’s not a main plot line.  And it's also written with a twist, adding a refreshing take on an over-used idea.

The only miscast seems to be Michelle Monaghan as Doug's wife.  Now, Monaghan is perfect as a wife or girlfriend or generally a nice person, but when her role is for an ass-hat better-half, something seems off.  Most of her scenes require her to be nutty and mean to Doug, but when you look at her face, all it says is sweet and loving.  So it becomes hard to hate the character like the film suggests.  It's a shame too, because her acting is flawless, but she never quite fills the role of Kara Varney until the very last couple of scenes.

"Listen, I know you're trying to be cool, but me and you both know the fro and 

sideburns motif died decades ago."

Then there's the voice-over.  But it's not some gentle British fellow telling you the story of Doug Varney.  And it's definitely not one of the main characters either, like Doug's wife or mistress.  Hell, it's not even Doug.  It's Jane Fonda.  And now you're probably wondering, "Why the hell is Jane Fonda telling the story of Doug Varney?"  And the extremely well thought-out answer is who the hell knows.  It makes no frigging sense and is completely unnecessary.  Unfortunately, it happens throughout the entire movie, but doesn't take away from the film's good qualities.

The ending may be the only problem you have with the film.  In the home stretch, Doug turns a little angry, which doesn't fit the dark comedic attitude he's been displaying throughout.  There's also the manner in which all the plot lines merge at the end.  So if you're looking for a total train wreck, you might be a tad disappointed.  But none of that matters, because the film's humor and acting outweighs the slightly troubling resolution.

"Hey, kids!  This is what it looks like when you try to stick your wang into an electrical socket."

"What's a wang?"

  "Oh, and say no to drugs."

CONCLUSION:

Better Living Through Chemistry answers the age old question: What would happen if I just didn't give a crap anymore?  It'll also show you what to do with all those ninja stars you've been collecting over the years.  But true gratification doesn't come until you watch Sam Rockwell shutdown an insult by spewing in public the medication the person has been rubbing on their anus.  It's these little delights that make Better Living Through Chemistry a real treat.  So if you don't find Sam Rockwell funny or talented, then please stay as far away from this movie as possible.  For everyone else, enjoy the Rockwell roller coaster ride of acting.

3.5 out of 5 Stars (minus 1 1/2 stars for Fonda and uneven ending)