Pete Schwaba's fantastic comedy "Godfather of Green Bay" just plain works. There is sure to be good buzz about several of the films at this year's Milwaukee International Film Festival, but "Godfather" is on top of the list.
Buddies, comedy and life
The story follows two struggling stand up comics -- Pete Schwaba and Lance Barber -- from L.A. who decide to do their comedy act in a Pine Lake, Wisconsin bar. A talent scout, Harvey Skorik (Dennis LaValle), from "The Tonight Show" is known to recruit from the "Rocktoberfest" event there and the two see it as their possible break into the big time. Sure, it's a "buddy flick," it but doesn't over do it like movies like "Sideways" did. This is a funny, real (frighteningly real if you're a Packer fan) and honest character comedy that examines friendship, passion, loyalty and of course, humor.
Lauren Holly
Playing a schoolteacher turned hotel operator, Lauren Holly gives a funny, quirky and just plain sweet performance as Molly. The 42-year-old Holly is beautiful as she plays the educated, simpleton role to perfection. With two films currently in post-production, Holly's career continues and "Godfather" will definitely help it.
Give it up for Eric Price
Bay View boy and Milwaukee Comedy Sportz veteran Eric Price shines as a stereotypical "ya der hey" Packer fan who is never actually mentioned by name, but is casted as Ratboy. From his "beaver patrol" T-shirt to his sidesplitting physical comedy, Price is reason enough to see the movie.
The music
Scored by Kurt Neumann of the Bodeans, the movie uses, but doesn't overuse, a variety of tracks from the band. It also infuses some of Newman's solo work. Die-hard Bodeans fans will love it and music fans will appreciate the blend of up tempo and ballad numbers. A Bodeans track may not always come to mind as the perfect song for a car chase, but "Godfather" makes it happen.
Da Bears still suck
The Packer fan mentality in the film is realistic and perfectly portrayed. At the tavern and across the town, the locals are obsessed with the Packers in a loving, and almost frightening, manner. From random shouts of "Da Bears suck," to references about Lombardi, the Packers are life in "Godfather of Green Bay."
Jakester
Big Jake (Tony Goldwyn, who also played Neil Armstrong in the HBO miniseries "From the Earth to the Moon,") is the mullet toting, still a high school football star in his own mind kind of dude that we all can relate to. He displays his dancing skills (in a hilarious yet ridiculous fashion) to the "Macarena" and eventually seizes the Godfather title that ties the movie's plot together.
DUG
Thomas Lennon (Lt. Dangle on Comedy Central's "Reno 911") who plays local comic DUG is great and good for some laugh out loud moments during his stand-up routines. His mentality and do-whatever-it-takes attitude keep his dream alive and his character shining.
"Godfather" just works and it's also very good for the soul. That may sound lofty for the entertainment industry, but a good, meaningful laugh is hard to find these days and Schwaba's film delivers throughout its 87-minute journey.
As part of the Milwaukee International Film Festival, "Godfather of Green Bay" screens Friday, Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Oriental Theatre. For tickets call (866) 919-6433.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
