A curiously inert effort from writer-director Mike Judge (Office Space, Idiocracy).
Extract stars Jason Bateman as Joel, the married owner of a food-flavoring manufacturer whose attempt to cure his case of the mid-life blahs leads to a colossal mess. Infidelity, criminal activity and a conniving femme fatale (Mila Kunis) all ensue, making this something of a comic noir.
Everything is played in such a low-key chord, however, that the movie feels like its starting its engine for 90 minutes (or attempting to mimic the dramedy stylings of director Alexander Payne). Aside from a few highlights – including a hysterical bong hit by Bateman and a rant by Gene Simmons as a maniacal personal injury lawyer – this is missing the angry comic energy of Judge’s previous efforts.
