Tammy

By: Robert Murphy 

Do you ever have one of those days where absolutely nothing goes right? From the minute you wake up you were destined to have a crap storm of a bad day and that's what we open on in Tammy as Melissa McCarthy's foul mouthed, brash and over inflated brand of character returns for another go. Tammy is about to blindsided with a series of bad luck events that included losing her job, hitting a deer and being cheated on by her long time husband to name a few. This leads her to storm off out of town to get away from all the bad that has happened and the only way she can do that is with her grandmother, Pearl (Susan Sarandon) by her side and her chunk of cash she has in her pocket. The two set off together on an adventure to get out and live free before one of their times is up and the other wants to do what we all want to do at times and that's scream "SCREW YOU" to the world and have a good time. 

We have seen this sort of ill mannered character from Melissa McCarthy before as she has become a master of the role in other films the past few years in Identity Thief and The Heat. This isn't to say this a bad thing because it frankly works and McCarthy is sometimes such a hard read as an actress that it can feel different each time even though you know the film was made for her brand of character. As her character and Pearl set off on their journey together, you can't help but notice and undeniable spark between the two and how their on screen chemistry works quite well. Sarandon's character Pearl is an alcoholic/diabetic ball of delight who is incredibly charming even under the grey wig and make up that try and make her older. Add in a little Tammy mix to that with her spunky and loud attitude and you do find a recipe for success but it works for only a quick one liner or two and a few outrageous events. While Sarandon "co-stars" as the films sidekick, she doesn't gain all the main drive as McCarthy does and when the film lulls and falters, you are left staring at the screen with her being the only one on it. 

Hidden in the midst of McCarthy lime light though, there are a surprising number of other compelling actors and actresses who sneak some screen time out of Tammy. Pearl happens to meet a love interest at one of the road trip stops along the way, gentleman rancher Randy (Gary Cole) created some more appeal to keep watching. The twos hook up also makes way for the stale romance of Tammy and Randy's son Bobby (Mark Duplass) as the two flirt at various points throughout the film. I didn't mind that Bobby would show up at various random times through the film and in fact I loved him as a character but he was vastly underwritten and was part of many of the films lulling moments with Tammy. Other crazy events transpire that lead to Pearl needing to call up an old time friend for help, a no nonsense Leanor (Kathy Bates.) Pearl and Tammy seek refuge with her and her lesbian partner Susan (Sandra Oh) which later leads to an all out 4th of July raging party with some jet-ski burning and alcoholic rants for some added tension. 

Tammy as a character is the perfect way to describe Tammy the film, a mess of ideas and one trick stunts to try and distract you from the fact that you just watch something with no plot to it. Pearl and Tammy do have an initial plan in mind at the beginning of the film but it gets lost in a clump of ideas and stories that were included in the story along the way. McCarthy is still pretty funny and I'm not saying you won't laugh at what you see but her one trick pony act may be coming to end as there won't be too many more ways you can sell this angle for too long. Sarandon, Bates, Duplass and other side characters are a delight though and I deeply enjoyed their stories, I just wish that there was more of their story to go around when the end credits roled.

Good:

- McCarthy still is funny and still proves she can use her brand of character once more

- Sarandon provides some much needed help for the films low moments

- A great cast of side characters

Bad:

- Very erratic story telling

- Tries to fluff up the lack of story with a series of one liners and stunts

- I don't think McCarthy should have outshined everyone, I believe she needs to stick to the role of side kick with her brand of character 

Scully Rating: 5.0 out of 10