Does anyone really care about the “The Goods: The Don Ready Story“, errr, now subtitled, ‘Live Hard, Sell Hard’ or is the film just awfully and unfortunately timed?
Executive produced by Adam McKay and Will Ferrell, greenlighting a movie starring Jeremy Piven probably seemed like a good idea at the time when Piven was “Entourage” hot and perhaps seemed like a good chance to showcase a lot of strong talent not on the A-list.
But “Entourage” and its buzz and quality have greatly waned (is it even still on?), and with his sushi-gate/”Speed The Plow” theater scandal Piven appears to be persona non grata, at least in the press. But does the public even care?
Directed by Neal Brennan (who helmed the awesome “Chappelle‘s Show“), ‘The Goods’ centers on a car dealership in trouble that calls in some questionable experts to help sell automobiles. The film stars Piven, and a lot of good second-string players Ving Rhames, Ed Helms, Ken Jeong (the crazy Asian guy from “The Hangover”), Kathryn Hahn (the crazy stand-up urinating wife from “Step Brothers”), Tony Hale (Buster from “Arrested Development”) Craig Robinson (“The Office” & many Apatow bit parts) and James Brolin (and what appears to be a cameo by Will Ferrell) and they all suggest –on paper — some kooky characters and situations, but does it have a prayer later this summer?
We hate to poop on good ol’ well-intentioned Paramount Vantage who shepherded this one, — though don’t McKay & Ferrell have a deal there? — but this one appears to have zero buzz even as an indie and does not look good.
Who is Don Ready? Salesman? Lover? Song Stylist? Semi-professional dolphin trainer? Ready is all of the above — except for a dolphin trainer. When he’s asked to help save an ailing local car dealership from bankruptcy, Ready and his ragtag crew descend on the town of Temecula like a pack of coyotes on a basket full of burgers. Selling, drinking, selling and going to strip clubs is their stock and trade. And they do it well. What Don doesn’t expect is to fall in love and find his soul (cue heartfelt piano). ‘The Goods: Live Hard Sell Hard’ stars Emmy award-winning actor Jeremy Piven (‘The Kingdom,’ ‘Entourage’) and Ving Rhames (‘I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry,’ ‘Mission: Impossible III’). The film is the first production from Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s Gary Sanchez Productions, directed by Neal Brennan, co-creator of the hugely successful Comedy Central hit, ‘Chappelle’s Show.’
The film his theaters on August 14, which is perhaps not the worst time to put it out because… when else would be good? We hate to kick a film when it’s… not down…but not on anyone’s radar, but it’s actually something we kept tabs on earlier this year and were fairly curious about considering the talent and people involved. Let’s hope for all involved a better trailer is released and or something’s done to give it a fighting chance.