THE GUISE: Larry David is flanked by Kate Hudson and Jon Hamm in a scene from “Clear History.” Inset: David as a bearded Nathan Flomm. (John P. Johnson)
THE GUISE: Larry David is flanked by Kate Hudson and Jon Hamm in a scene from “Clear History.” Inset: David as a bearded Nathan Flomm. (
)
If you’re still laughing at old episodes of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” then for sure you’ll laugh so hard at Larry David’s new HBO movie, “Clear History,” that you may end up calling EMS to get you off the floor.
If you didn’t love “Curb,” chances are great you won’t love “Clear.” Me? Personally I had a love/hate relationship with “Curb.” In fact, I think that the “Palestinian Chicken” episode was the funniest episode ever on TV. Others? Not so much.
This movie — the kind of all-star fest that Mel Brooks used to do — has renewed my love for all things Larry David.
“Clear History” opens in 2003, and David is a long-haired, even longer-bearded Nathan Flomm, a marketing genius working for Will Haney (Jon Hamm), the owner of an electric car company.
When Will announces that the new car will be called “The Howard,” Nathan goes berserkers, telling him that it’s the worst name in the world — even if it is Will’s son’s name. They get into a big fight and Nathan demands that Will buy back his investment shares.
The Howard, unfortunately (for Nathan), becomes the biggest-selling car in the world, and instead of Nathan becoming a billionaire, he loses his house, his wife — and his reputation. He’s the laughingstock, the schmo who sold his shares and lost a billion.
Fast forward 10 years, and Nathan, who’s changed his name, is now Rolly DaVore and living on Martha’s Vineyard — not as a fancy weekender, but as a townie/caretaker for a mean old lady. Thing is, he’s happy with this simple way of life and his crazy friends.
Then the worst happens. An interloper is building a horrific, gigantic McMansion on the island, to the locals’ dismay. Who is this tacky villain? None other than now-bazillionaire Haney.
Rolly decides to exact revenge by blowing up the house. To that end, he enlists the aid of Frank (Danny McBride), who in turn enlists the aid of crazy Joe Stumpo (Michael Keaton), a professional exploder of tree stumps. The cast includes Kate Hudson, Eva Mendez, JB Smoove, Bill Hader, Liev Schrieber, Amy Ryan and Phillip Baker Hall.
“Clear History” is so funny it made me want to order up some Palestinian chicken.