He's appeared in numerous movies the critics like to slam, but they seem to be movies that also make the average guy and gal feel good about themselves.
I turned on Comedy Central now and there is yet another comedy feature starring Justin Long. I've realized that he is in several feel good movies that are technically speaking bad. Case in point, Dodgeball - An Underdog Story. Critics didn't get this movie, but I did.
I thought it was a great throwback to eighties movies where some pitiful institution has to save its ass by winning some monumental event with near impossible odds. The difference is, along the way, Dodgeball is funny.
Justin Long's character in Dodgeball is a sweetheart and a true blue buddy who is abused because he's a male cheerleader and let's face it, male cheerleaders do not get any respect--but boy do they get the best views (may not be looking up if they're gay though). He belongs to Average Joe's Gym because he's an average joe. Like most of us, Justin Long's character wants to be liked but not have to pretend to be cool or something he's not to do it. We all want to be accepted for who we are, even if we are social retards. I think Justin wouldn't turn us away or point and whisper. He's just a good guy.
And this seems to be the character he returns to play in Waiting and in Accepted.
Waiting is an underappreciated film, mostly because those who gave it bad reviews probably got their fancy writing jobs through nepotism or some special connection from their upperclass social arena. What Waiting does is sympathize with anyone who has had to take a crap job serving unappreciative customers.
And again in Waiting Justin Long is that friend you would like to know. We relate to his struggle to want to do something with his life, more than wait tables or even be an assistant restaurant manager--which really isn't that bad compared to some jobs. Fact is, waiters have an undeserved status when it comes to jobs. They can make more by using some smiles and sales skills than someone with a college degree who's working in administration. The base pay may be low but work the tables right and a smart waiter could pull in more than 25-40 bucks an hour with tips added on.
In Accepted Long is still that same guy, that favorite buddy who isn't quite successful but isn't quite sure if he wants to be successful. At that age I didn't know what the hell I wanted to do and my grades weren't going to get me into a good college either. Looking back at the mistakes I made and honestly not having any guidance on a career path I would have been happy to have attended a school where everyone was "accepted." As long as I was in on the secret that it was a fake and didn't have to pay the tuition. I'd kick in money for beer and pizza though.
Let's not forget with all of Justin Long's lowbrow vehicle comedies that he also did star in the last Die Hard film. That's not bad for an actor usually playing the average guy. But it's not why we appreciate him here at Swenson Funnies.
We appreciate him because if you're having a bad day, or a bad life, you can watch a Justin Long movie and he will make it better. Yes, in reality you may be wallowing in debt, not respected by your peers, or have any future prospects, but Justin doesn't care. He'll pat you on the back and say, hey it's okay. And he'll also come up with a scheme you can join in on to save a gym or create the illusion you're going back to college. What a nice guy.
