Comedy fans rejoice, because legendary director David Wain is back with Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass. Wain has reunited with Ken Marino to pen the script nearly 15 years after they co-wrote Wanderlust together. Loosely based on The Wizard of Oz, the film follows a small-town hairdresser as she travels to Los Angeles with one very important goal… to f*ck Jon Hamm.
Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass is stacked with an incredible cast of comedic actors led by Zoey Deutch. When Gail (Deutch) catches her fiancé having sex with his “celebrity sex pass,” she decides the only way they can move forward with their marriage is by having a tryst of her own. While searching LA for Hamm, she befriends a group of lovable outcasts who help her on her mission. The cast also includes Marino, Sabrina Impacciatore, Ben Wang, Miles Gutierrez-Riley, Joe Lo Truglio, John Slattery as himself, and much more.
Fans of Wain and Marino’s work will be delighted by the film’s absurdist humor. It’s also filled with niche easter eggs and exciting cameos.
The Power of Wain & Marino
Wain is best known for writing and directing Wet Hot American Summer (2001), which also features Marino. While he penned that script with Michael Showalter, his writing collaborations with Marino have included The Ten (2007), Role Models (2008), and Wanderlust (2012). Wain and Marino reined in their ludcaracris style with their previous two collaborations, partially due to studio involvement. Now, they’re able to let loose again with Gail Daughtry. In fact, the new film feels like the spiritual successor to The Ten.
It’s been nearly 20 years since the release of The Ten, a biblically-inspired anthology. While it wasn’t exactly well-received, it has garnered a small cult following of fans who appreciate its absurdity. We foresee a similar future for Gail Daughtry. Comedy is easily the most subjective genre, and Wain and Marino’s style won’t connect with everyone. Like The Ten, Gail Daughtry is operating completely outside of reality. If you can’t handle nonsense, this movie won’t be for you.
If you’re a fan of Wain and Marino, we implore you to see Gail Daughtry on the big screen. While the choice to follow the story beats of The Wizard of Oz isn’t exactly original, you are going to laugh a lot along the way. The movie is riddled with nods to their past works, and feels like a celebration of their collaborations. More importantly, the comedy genre isn’t exactly thriving. It’s up to the fans to go out and support their favorite creatives.
We’re Not in Kansas Anymore…
One of the funniest things about Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass might also serve as its biggest hurdle. When it comes to its Los Angeles setting, a lot of the jokes are very inside baseball. The movie relentlessly pokes fun at the city, which is hilarious. However, it’s hard to know how those jokes will land with people who aren’t familiar with Hollyweird. Wain’s satirical style succeeds in movies like Wet Hot and They Came Together because audiences are familiar with the broad genres they’re making fun of. It’s hard to know how the average moviegoer will react to jokes about CAA, but they had us rolling.
Whether or not audiences everywhere will connect with Gail Daughtry‘s setting, the film does showcase LA beautifully. Gail and her friends travel all over town looking for Hamm, which leaves room for many ridiculous shenanigans. The setting also allows for a handful of magnificent celebrity cameos. Don’t just expect to only see Wain’s staples in this one. Many people are also playing themselves, which is always fun to watch. Everyone in the movie appears to be having a blast, but no one seems to be having a better time than Slattery. The suaveness he brings to Mad Men and the Marvel Cinematic Universe is nowhere to be found in Gail Daughtry, and we mean that as a massive compliment.
Never Surrender, Dorothy
While everyone gives a memorable performance in Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass, it’s Deutch who holds the film together. It cannot be overstated how goofy this film is, but Deutch plays Gail with an impressive amount of sincerity. The character is good-natured and naive, but also determined and courageous. Deutch is deeply charming in all of her roles and has an infectious energy. Whether she’s starring in a romantic dramedy about grief or a surreal comedy about having sex with a famous person, she is effervescent on screen. Leading a movie as stupid (compliment) as this one takes a lot of talent, and Deutch never wavers.
Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass is heading to theatres on July 10th. If you love to laugh, we implore you to see it on the big screen. It might seem excessive to call a movie titled Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass important, but absurdist comedies that are laugh-out-loud funny don’t get released every weekend. There are so many huge blockbusters coming out this summer, but don’t forget to support this independent comedy.
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