Title: Bucky Larson: Born to be a Star

Starring: Nick Swardson, Christina Ricci, Don Johnson, Stepen Dorff, Kevin Nealon

Look folks; it’s a Happy Madison production (in-case you didn’t see & hear the annoying TV spots). Adam Sandler and his writer friends got together and came up with Bucky Larson: Born to be a Star. The only notable appearances from the Sandler stable are his good buddy Kevin Nealon and the usual cameos from his writing partners and friends. You’ll recognize the faces even though they seem to keep putting on weight every year.

Nick Swardson – who also co-wrote this – plays the titular character who wants to become a porn star. Actually, he just wants to star in the nude after seeing his parents (Edward Herrmann & Miriam Flynn) in a porno from the 70s. Bucky is a sheltered lad living in podunk Iowa. The broad strokes are that he’s never left home; he has a poor man’s Creedence Clearwater haircut and buck-teeth; and he has yet to make his O-face (orgasm). But after seeing his parents on the silver-screen (in his friend’s basement) he can think of nothing else except following in their chaffed footsteps.

Upon arriving, he is thrusts into the Hollywood realm as the top porn star in the biz, Dick Shadow (Stephen Dorff looking like Bret Michaels), belittles him in front of an industry party. From there, he finds a gentle ear in waitress hopeful Kathy (Christina Ricci). As the optimistic Bucky forms a budding friendship with the lacking self-esteem Kathy, washed up porn director Miles Deep (Don Johnson) thinks he can use Bucky’s unorthodox talent to transform the porno industry.

You may not laugh a ton in this 96 minute stoner-boner, but you will laugh. Nick Swardson is pitch-perfect in the role even though the entertainment value is hit-or-miss within the screenplay. The majority of the laughs happen in the first hour as the Bucky character learns how to perform for the camera and interacts innocently with stereotypical L.A. folks. His naive nature is the audiences benefit. Like all Happy Madison pieces, there is some heart in this tale, yet it doesn’t overshadow the juvenile semi the writers clearly want the viewer to have. It is one of those flicks where you can envision Sandler and the boys having a blast shooting this (no pun) even though the audience may not corroborate the same level of feeling. That being said, fans of anything Happy Madison does will probably be excited as the main character when he sees a pair of boobs.

If you find yourself getting bored in this try, to focus on Don Johnson’s hair. His golden locks may have more charisma than the flick itself at times.

Overall, Bucky Larson: Born to be a Star isn’t the best thing this crew has created but it doesn’t ruin your day. There are enough playful raunchy moments (with a huge assist from Swardson’s physical expressions) that can get you going. Just don’t expect to blow your load.

Technical: C+

Overall: C

Review by Joe Belcastro

Fulfilling a (wet) dream.