Bad Words

Focus Features | Release Date: March 14, 2014

6.3	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 136 Ratings

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LynDec 28, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Jason Bateman is his usual droll self and the young Indian actor is adorable. But you can't just add some F-words and vulgar side trips to a kids' spelling bee tale and make it into smart entertainment for grown-ups. Worst of all, there's no payoff. You suspect that there's some weird reason Bateman's character is going through this whole charade, but when that reason is slipped in at the end, it just seems senseless and pathetic.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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LeZeeJul 8, 2015

Good lie, bad words and ugly truth.

I thought it was Cliff Curtis' movie because that's whom I saw in one of the posters. Anyway, it's Jason Bateman's movie, which is also his first directional venture. A refreshing theme because only aGood lie, bad words and ugly truth.

I thought it was Cliff Curtis' movie because that's whom I saw in one of the posters. Anyway, it's Jason Bateman's movie, which is also his first directional venture. A refreshing theme because only a very few movies were made based on the spelling bee contest, but this one was a bit messed up story narration. Most of the narrative looked so pale and dull. It is supposed to be an exciting storytelling with blistering pace.

You know, stories in the movies happen with a backdrop of the reasons. Like a piece of uninteresting wood carved into a something that attracts everybody. Some movie holds it till the end to reveal that beauty in the form of a twist, but some won't mind explaining it along the way. In this movie, what they had for the twist was lifeless, boring one, more like a cliché from the older days flick.

The boy from the movie 'Jack and Jill' was decent. I felt some material in the movie was inappropriate regarding a minor in one of the lead roles. But I know the title clearly suggests it is only for adults. Understandable that the writer wanted to give something new, but he could not get it right. Maybe lacked to bring some interesting and inspiring elements. What surprised me was, it was not either for commercial benefit nor a fine art piece.

All the way I knew something was not clinching and finally found out the approach to portray the main character in the negative mode had to do with something. They wanted the viewers to go against him and well, they got it in a way. Interestingly the screenplay was from the 'Black List' which was untouched for almost 10 years. Unfortunately Bateman decided to give it a try and the result is,... Here I'm with not satisfied fully, but okay-okay movie for being at least something different.

6/10… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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BradySmithOct 18, 2014

Sometimes amusing, almost always vulgar, and extremely immoral; Bad Words contains shock value by the ton, but it won't stick with you very long, and it's rarely laugh out loud funny. Bateman's character is one outrageously unrestrainedSometimes amusing, almost always vulgar, and extremely immoral; Bad Words contains shock value by the ton, but it won't stick with you very long, and it's rarely laugh out loud funny. Bateman's character is one outrageously unrestrained person. You can't really think of anyone who'd play him better. Most of his schemes though are too mean spirited to be funny. Instead they just make you angry. The movie ends alright, and the young Indian kid who serves as Guy's sidekick is a funny character, but there's simply no boundaries with this movie. Soon Guy is taking him to bars, sneaking him alcoholic drinks, and having him cavort with prostitutes. The movie throws away all of its potential trying to shock out laughs, when it is merely being disgusting instead.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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TVJerryMar 31, 2014

Jason Bateman has always been good at dry delivery, so he's gone desert with this mean-spirited character (he also directed). He's an unhappy grownup who finds a loophole that allows him to enter middle-school spelling bee, which he wins.Jason Bateman has always been good at dry delivery, so he's gone desert with this mean-spirited character (he also directed). He's an unhappy grownup who finds a loophole that allows him to enter middle-school spelling bee, which he wins. This serves as a vehicle for him to drive verbally vicious insults, going for laffs by being outrageous to kids. Luckily, one charmer (Rohan Chand) manages to get thru. While there are some amusing moments, much of the effort is spent trolling for laffs by being shocking, which isn't as successful.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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GreatMartinApr 5, 2014

Jason Bateman makes his directorial debut along with starring in and producing, “Bad Words”. He plays Guy Trilby, a 40 years old man, who never finished the 8th grade which makes him eligible to compete with 10 year olds in a spelling beeJason Bateman makes his directorial debut along with starring in and producing, “Bad Words”. He plays Guy Trilby, a 40 years old man, who never finished the 8th grade which makes him eligible to compete with 10 year olds in a spelling bee eventually winding up in the national finals.

“Bad Words” is a comedy that makes fun of kids such as a 40 year old man giving a 10 year contestant the finger or taking the kid Chaitanya, played by Rohan Chand, to a prostitute so she could show him her boobs. How about eliminating a contestant by making her think she is ‘becoming a woman‘ then and there where she has to get up in front of a crowd to spell a word? And then how could he not help pick on a fat kid before the boy’s turn in the spelling bee?

Bateman gets a certain sympathy in any film because of his persona but here it is the screenplay by Andrew Dodge who gives the actor sharp lines that will make you laugh even when you know it is wrong. The interplay between Guy and the reporter, Jenny Widgeon, played by Kathryn Hahn, looking to find out what is behind the story, is also funny though at times in a cruel way.

Dr. Deagan, played by Allison Janney, as the director of the spelling bee, has nothing but disdain for Guy and makes it quite clear by giving him a supply closet for his hotel room. The Golden Quill’s spelling bee founder, played by Philip Baker Hall, attempts to keep everything on an even keel turns comedy to drama on a dime.

Anyone who has been going to the movies knows where the story is heading but Bateman handles the actors, and himself, with a lightness that makes what is said and shown on film almost funny. The relationship between Guy and Chaitanya is the meat of the story and if the kid can forgive the adult so can we.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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TJK22Apr 7, 2014

Bad Words might offer a few laughs, but it also gives us some of the most annoying characters ever put on screen, and a weak story. Like I said the humor can have its moments, but it's mostly racist or mean jokes. I can't give Bad Words anyBad Words might offer a few laughs, but it also gives us some of the most annoying characters ever put on screen, and a weak story. Like I said the humor can have its moments, but it's mostly racist or mean jokes. I can't give Bad Words any more credit then that.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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csw12Apr 4, 2014

Even with the movie only being 89 minutes, it felt repetitive and unnecessary most of the time. There are moments that are funny but not enough to make up for the bland story and messy climax.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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geedupJun 24, 2014

Was surprised this was Bateman's first film he has directed. None the less the story line is pretty uninspired and predictable. Old man vs 10 year old in spelling bees......they develop a feidnship of sorts..........gee, what will happen. WasWas surprised this was Bateman's first film he has directed. None the less the story line is pretty uninspired and predictable. Old man vs 10 year old in spelling bees......they develop a feidnship of sorts..........gee, what will happen. Was looking forward to over the top things by bateman's character but left disappointed. So whats the upside of this flick, the 10 year old. although he doesn't act much he adds an element worth seeing......once.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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chwOct 4, 2014

Jason Bateman picked an off film to use as his directorial debut in films. Bad Words was basically pointless, no lesson learned, and overall inappropriate.