When you learn “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates” is based on real brothers, you really want a documentary, not some half-baked comedy that never quite achieves the level of its trailer.
Filled with more sexual comments than a high school study hall, the film even lacks some of the jokes that made its preview so enticing. A crying scene (because, apparently, the brothers can’t take losing) doesn’t come after two women beat them at bocce ball. It’s in reference to screwing up their sister’s wedding.
But splitting hairs over scenes is hardly necessary. “Mike and Dave” is a classic case of cinematic bait and switch.
Responsible for plenty of family chaos, the Stangle brothers (played by Zac Efron and Adam Devine) are told they can’t hit on bridesmaids when they attend their sister’s wedding in Hawaii. Rather than behave, they decide to get “nice” girls through a Craigslist ad. The search goes viral, they land a spot on “The Wendy Williams Show” and two not-so-respectable women decide they’re winning the trip.
Jumping in front of a moving car, Tatiana (Aubrey Plaza) is revived by Mike (Devine), who presumes she and her roommate, Alice (Anna Kendrick), are just what they need.
In no time, they’re on the beach, living the lie. They punk the brothers repeatedly and get Jeanie (Sugar Lyn Beard) to think twice about her impending nuptials.
In one of the raunchiest moments of the year, the bride gets a nude massage from an equally naked masseur (Kumail Nanjiani) that’s funny but fairly Farrelly.
Indeed, director Jake Syzmanski channels those cinematic siblings repeatedly as he runs Mike and Dave through their paces.
The film references lots of movies as well, presumably because the folks who would love this duo are steeped in pop culture.
Certainly, Efron and Devine make good brothers. They look a bit alike and seem game for just about anything. Unfortunately, Syzmanski doesn’t temper any of Devine’s performance. He’s twice as loud as any of his clothing. Efron is a little better, but that’s because the film’s writers haven’t given him much to say.
When he starts getting sentimental with Kendrick, “Mike and Dave” looks like it has the raw material for something more.
While a big return at the box office could spell sequel, Syzmanski and company don’t really try to set things up for another wedding or even a baby shower. They settle for some weak outtakes and fail to give audiences even one peek at the brothers who made this all possible.
Wedding dates are the least of "Mike and Dave's" worries.
