“Extract” is a genuinely likeable comedy about people who desire to do despicable and borderline unforgivable things but lack the impotent moral fiber to complete these tasks without experiencing immense shame. All of the characters in the film learn about themselves and most, but not all, attempt to change because of these lessons, which is probably both permissible and accurate. After all, if everyone was entirely enlightened at the conclusion, it would be impossible to differentiate between the con artist who uses her body to lure males into cheerfully shedding their dignity and a devoted husband who realizes the ways he has taken his wife for granted.
Jason Bateman stars as Joel, a man who is unhappy at work and home and wishes to find any way to break free. Bateman is an intriguing comedic actor who tends to effectively go against conventional wisdom as the most advantageous way to achieve both extraordinary laughter and truth, which often are intertwined in successful comedies. He chooses to have an anticipatory disposition every time an unpredictable and painful event is brought to his attention, making the laughter a genuine reaction to the ridiculousness of a situation. This is a fascinating and engaging approach that echoes reality; a delicate balancing act between believability, eccentricity, and awkward poignancy.
Bateman owns an extract company and the items he produces has a deeper meaning and connection to his life, even though he may not realize it. It represents everything he has worked for and the flavoring coincides with the additional delights of our lives that we often fail to comprehend. The steak is not always tasteful without sauce, just as sex is not satisfactory without being cognizant of your wife’s feelings.
At one point, Joel hires a gigolo to seduce his wife, Suzie (Kristen Wiig), so that he can have a guiltless affair, ranking on the list of the dumbest ideas in history, along with baby bikinis, toddler ice-skating, and baconnaise. Although it may seem at first like the interaction between Suzie toward the gigolo might be unrealistic, it is actually perfectly believable and almost easily plausible after more careful examination. Joel never talks about their relationship with his friends because he does not much care; all that drives his relationship with her is the need for more consistent sex. Although nothing excuses adultery, wouldn’t you be at least moderately tempted to sin in this manner if the “pool boy” listened to your concerns and did the exact, undemanding duties you wished or expected your husband to gladly perform?
The evolution of the talent in actors in “Extract” is blissful to watch, which is something that occurs in profusion. Although Jason Bateman and Ben Affleck have proven to be accomplished actors with extreme ability, Mila Kunis was consistently cast as a person whose good intentions outweighed the minor faults in her character. She expands this range here by playing a person without anything but selfish, awful objectives, even if she does exhibit a relative sense of compassion and politeness at the conclusion. Kristin Wiig provides a character with reasonable expectations for her husband but an inability to express these hopes eloquently without feeling needy or useless.
The screenplay has a promising comedic premise, but lacks the truthful nature and acute humorous observation of “Office Space” or the shear, uncompromising, and hilarious satirical vulgarity of “Beavis and Butt-Head Do America.” The performances of these talented actors elevate “Extract” above the standard level of the screenplay, making it an amusing and moderately entertaining experience. The film contains gaping flaws, including the presence of an unrealistically annoying neighbor, that are largely ignored because of the pleasure derived from watching people perform superbly at their God given task.
Eventually, “Extract” evolves to a film about people who do not appreciate their blessings until they are threatened. In a way, it is a present-day telling of the “Prodigal Son,” except a farmer and two sons are not the principal participants. Instead, there is a disgruntled company owner, unapologetic con artist, cheating wife, pothead friend, incompetent gigolo, gullible redneck, and annoying neighbor who are more interested in the benefits for themselves than for the well-being of others, until they realize that the happiness of their loved ones is the central part of fulfillment that makes life worth living.
