THE MONEY SHOT

[mamaleh]

Posted: 9/7/14 at 12:36am

Although early in previews, this is already a tight, very entertaining comedy--even with Elizabeth Reaser's only recently replacing Heather Graham. LaBute once again explores sexual politics and power, but this time the result is an often very funny play. Fred Weller is especially hilarious as a preening, airhead action-film actor in denial about his aging. Reaser makes for an amusing drama queen, Callie Thorne is her feisty lover, and Gia Crovatin, a name I was not previously familiar with, drew lots of laughs as the young trophy wife who's always hungry. A case could be made that these characters have been seen before--but if so, they've never been funnier than in The Money Shot. For those interested, my TDF seat was in the front section of the orchestra, center. Not bad at all, and would have been even better if the rows were properly raked and the seats not directly behind each other. But that's the Lortel.

[After Eight]

Posted: 9/7/14 at 12:58am

Considering the spate of malodorous specimens that have appeared on the stage of the Lucille Lortel of late, the theatre might think of investing in a couple of cases of Glade and Lysol. Handing out eye masks, earplugs, and rolls of Tums along with the Playbills would do a great service to patrons as well.

The newest noisome addition to the list comes from the pen of Neil LaBute. The author's patented misanthropy and misogyny are on full display here, as a stupid, sexist movie star squares off against an overbearing put-down artist while their respective partners look on.

It takes an inordinately long time for the plot to begin. While we wait impatiently for that to happen, laughs are generated at the actor's unrelenting (and unbelievably) stupid remarks. Unfortunately, this gets tired fast. After that, the play goes straight downhill. A confrontation at the end can best be described as stomach-turning.

The actors try hard, and the set is attractive.

[inception]

Posted: 9/7/14 at 1:32am

^
Only a true lover of theatre sees everything. More power to you Sir, as I know I don't have the fortitude to sit through a LaBute show.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 9/7/14 at 2:07am

Is there a money shot or is the title false advertising?

[mjohnson2]

Posted: 9/7/14 at 3:08am

Yeah, I will be skipping this as I don't think I can stomach another LaBute play, but I bet it has painfully awful dialogue and morbidly dark messages to take home with you, full of highly offensive and outdated characters.

[followspot]

Posted: 9/7/14 at 7:42am

For those interested, my TDF seat was in the front section of the orchestra, center. Not bad at all, and would have been even better if the rows were properly raked and the seats not directly behind each other. But that's the Lortel.

The only theater in NYC where you're guaranteed to only see the actors from the waist up no matter where you sit. (Or be unable to see a play's entire last scene because an idiot director has staged it on the floor; The Other Place/Joe Mantello.) But I digress.

[JMPlayer6]

Posted: 9/7/14 at 9:09am

I saw this play last night. Frankly, while it was funny, I had a great deal if trouble getting into it. Two Hollywood actors and their partners get together to discuss a pornographic love scene they want to film for their current movie. It took a LONG time to get to that discussion. In the meantime, it was four people behaving badly against each other at every turn just for laughs. And I had a big disconnect over the central premise of two serious and marketable Hollywood actors (even stars) agreeing so casually to film such a scene in the first place, not to mention the same for one of the partners. The whole thing, including the ending, just seemed forced.

[Kad]

Posted: 9/7/14 at 10:43am

"It took a LONG time to get to that discussion. In the meantime, it was four people behaving badly against each other at every turn just for laughs."

And now you don't have to see another Labute play again, because that's all he does.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 9/7/14 at 12:16pm

That's true. He has a structure that works for him. I love it, but I realize it's not reinventing the wheel.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 9/16/14 at 1:05am

I saw this yesterday and my problem with it is really that the main concept just doesn't make any sense. It's a situation that would just not ever happen under any circumstance. You have two major Hollywood stars who are in need of a big blockbuster hit film, and the way their film will be a hit will be if they actually have real sex onscreen. (And apparently it must be real, outrageous, over the top sex.) Uhhhh... no. Not gonna happen. Actors can, and have, had real sex onscreen, and those films are always either unrated or NC-17, which means most theater chains won't carry them, which means they won't make money.

It just seemed so fake and, as another poster said, forced.

[mamaleh]

Posted: 9/16/14 at 10:14am

The plot may be a bit preposterous, but there were enough funny bits and lines to keep me entertained, for the most part. I just kept in mind that these were caricatures-- walking/talking satiric barbs, Hollywood airheads--not people mindful of the repercussions of their actions. You pretty much know what you're getting with LaBute.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 9/16/14 at 1:48pm

The play is meant to be satire, and we all know what closes on Saturday night.

[newintown]

Posted: 9/16/14 at 2:02pm

"And now you don't have to see another Labute play again, because that's all he does."

True, too true.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 9/16/14 at 2:03pm

I don't think I can stomach another LaBute play

Ditto that.

I don't have the fortitude to sit through a LaBute show.

Ditto that.

[AndrewAndrew]

Posted: 9/29/14 at 8:39pm

Was it a hit or a miss? Our review of THE MONEY SHOT.
Click Here for Review of THE MONEY SHOT