The end justifies the means|Sep. 06, 2013|United States|89 Min.|R
Genre: Comedy
Description: “Bad Words,” a 2013 American black comedy, marks the directorial debut of Jason Bateman. Written by Andrew Dodge, the film features Bateman as Guy Trilby, a middle-aged man who exploits a loophole to compete in the National Golden Quill Spelling Bee despite having dropped out of eighth grade. The cast includes Kathryn Hahn, Rohan Chand, Ben Falcone, Philip Baker Hall, and Allison Janney.
Initially featured on the 2011 Black List, Dodge’s script was adapted by Bateman, who decided to star in the lead role after two other actors turned it down. Although the original script referenced the Scripps National Spelling Bee, the filmmakers opted for a fictional competition due to licensing concerns. Filming took place in Los Angeles in late 2012.
The movie premiered at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival and was released in the U.S. in March 2014. With a budget of $10 million, it earned $7.8 million at the box office. Reviews were mixed: some praised its humor and direction, while others criticized the protagonist as unlikable and the humor as offensive.
The story follows Guy Trilby, who competes in regional and national spelling bees by exploiting the rule that participants must not have completed eighth grade. He is accompanied by journalist Jenny Widgeon, who aims to document his unusual journey. During the national competition, Guy encounters Chaitanya Chopra, a 10-year-old contestant who tries to befriend him.
Overall, “Bad Words” offers a darkly comedic take on ambition, loopholes, and unexpected relationships.
Cast director: Jason Bateman
Cast actor: Jason Bateman, Kathryn Hahn, Rohan Chand, Philip Baker Hall, Allison Janney, Ben Falcone, Steve Witting, Beth Grant, Patricia Belcher, Rachael Harris
Original name: Bad Words