The simply-titled 1985 film, Beer, doesn’t so much have a plot as it does a basic commentary about the advertising world and the fantasies it harbors towards its own work. It goes from there to make a narrative that compounds upon that idea with a few nuggets of comedy and some clever commercials. Beyond that, it’s only sporadically funny and can’t really be considered dramatic. Beer definitely qualifies as oddball with its cast of characters and the little bit of nonsense the film puts them through, but there’s very little else to be said about it. When the credits roll, Beer is just another forgettable comedy lying in the shadows of better films of the genre in a decade known for legendary comedies. If anything helps Beer register it’s the well-chosen cast of Rip Torn, David Alan Grier, Peter Michael Goetz, William Russ, and Loretta Swit.
The Feemer Ad Agency is seconds away from losing Norbecker Pilsner as a client, and as a Hail Mary pass they put together a commercial campaign featuring three ordinary guys (Grier, Russ, Saul Stein) who foiled a robbery at a local bar. The campaign is a hit and as the beer sells the commercials become increasingly humorous, ridiculous and racy. Just when things are looking up, the trio and their prize director (Torn) go down in a plane crash and the world reels with the loss of advertising icons, and, of course, Norbecker milks the publicity for all its worth—only to discover the guys are still alive.
The laughs might not flow freely from the tap of comedy, but Beer has just enough of a brain in its head that all of the riffs on sycophantic and airheaded advertising last. To sweeten the pot, David Alan Grier and Rip Torn give some great performances.
DVD Bonus Features
None.
"Beer" is on sale September 22, 2011 and is rated R. Comedy. Directed by Patrick Kelly. Written by Allan Weisbecker. Starring David Alan Grier, Rip Torn, William Russ, Loretta Swit, Saul Stein.
