With not a lot of wacky romance films in theaters Wanderlust may be the right ticket for you and your date.  Not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but it’s still passable, especially if you aren’t critical of stories that are a bit goofier than the ordinary. The script gets obsessive in a brazen kind of way with some scenes even kicking it up a notch.  But, if it’s an icebreaker you want or just a way to add time to a first date, then you can do worse than Wanderlust.

George (Paul Rudd) and Linda (Jennifer Aniston) have hit the bottom of the barrel when the two find themselves without an income to support their existence in their New York City environment.  Under great stress due to George’s recent job loss, they head to Atlanta where his brother Rick (Ken Marino) has offered him a job.  Their non-stop 900-mile road trip develops into many sing-a-longs, a testy temperament and then just plain driving fatigue.

The nature loving commune in WANDERLUST

Now late at night and still not at their destination the two check into an obscure Georgia bed and breakfast and go right to sleep.  The next morning their arise to the sounds of a frolicking thriving community of nature lovers who show them the meaning of communal freedom. When Linda meets attractive Seth (Justin Theroux) and sinks deeper into the lifestyle, George feels things are getting out of hand.

While you may get the feeling you have seen the film before, and for some of it you may be right, the cast makes it fun with their over-the-top performances.  Paul Rudd provides his usual deadpan comedy letting the situations around him create the laugher.  Especially when he finds himself caught up in a suggestion that turns into an agreement, becomes irreversible and life changing.  And Aniston’s off beat performance gets brazen (can’t wait for the unrated DVD) and a little nutty as the lovely ‘giving’ woman that gives a bunch.

George (Paul Rudd) cannot make eye contact with nude Wayne (Joe Lo Truglio)

I’m bestowing Kudos on actor Joe Lo Truglio who gives a great performance as Wayne the nudist book writer.  His performance can only be described as courageous and having a lot of guts.

Although I found his script to be most of the problem, direction by David Wain isn’t that great either.  Even with his very good cast as a focal point for Wain the juvenile plot can’t avoid being foolish and clichéd especially when he runs out of sight gags and unabashed visuals.

The movie has been rated R by the MPAA for sexual content, graphic nudity, language and drug use.  But don’t let that stop you from seeing the likes of male and female frontal nudity (with some from the elderly that may have your howling). 

FINAL ANALYSIS: Wanderlust’s not a winner, but not a looser either. (C )

ADDITIONAL FILM INFORMATION

• Cast: Paul Rudd, Jennifer Aniston, Alan Alda, Malin Ackerman and Justin Theroux
• Directed by: David Wain
• MPAA Rating: R for sexual content, graphic nudity, language and drug use
• Genre: Comedy
• Running Time: 1 hr 40 min
• Opening Date: February 24, 2012
• Distributed by: Universal Pictures