Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 4, 1995 TAG: 9502090015
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Apparently, they are playing variations on themselves, two overweight "lowlifes from Queens" who are still living at home and have too much time on their hands. A pointless crank call convinces the local mobster, Lazarro (Alan Arkin), and Worzic (Brad Sullivan), the cop who's tapping his phone, that the two guys are working for Lazarro's old pal Frank Rizzo. He's an imaginary Chicago thug who has nothing to do with the late mayor of Philadelphia.
The rest of the film revolves around a few more phone calls and several slow, pointless chase scenes set in the less attractive parts of New York City. None of it generates any laughs or energy, and it's easy to understand why. Inexperience.
The young stars seem to be amiable fellows, but they have zero screen presence. Even though they're essentially playing themselves, they don't know how to act and seldom look directly at the camera. They appear uncomfortable, and they probably got little guidance from director James Melkonian, whose first (unreleased) feature "The Stoned Age," recently appeared on video.
Given the current popularity of "dumb" comedy, this one might be a hit, but that seems unlikely. To those who aren't already acquainted with Jerky humor, such phrases as "sizzle chest" and "rubberneck" just aren't funny, and by today's standards, the bathroom humor isn't shocking.
After that, what's left? Two overweight "lowlifes from Queens" with too much time on their hands.
The Jerky Boys *
A Caravan Pictures release playing at the Valley View Mall 6. 78 min. Rated R for language, comic violence.
by CNB