Business as usual for entertaining Entourage

Where Doug Ellin’s film adaptation of Entourage is concerned, it’s more of the same for Vincent Chase and his three faithful cohorts as they continue their Hollywood misadventures. And as well-done as the HBO series was during its eight-year run, that’s good enough, as the script here is just as sharp and bawdy as from days past. However, if you’re a fan looking for major narrative twists or a radical departure from the formula that made the show a hit you’re likely to be disappointed.

For those coming late to the party, Vince’s backstory is provided in a clever manner in the form of an interview with Piers Morgan that includes a recap of the actor’s career. We’re reminded that he brought his brother Johnny Drama (Kevin Dillon) as well as two childhood friends – Eric (Kevin Connolly) and Turtle (Jerry Ferrara) – along for his Tinsel Town ride after hitting it big, delivering more hits than flops along the way. He’s built enough cache to direct his first film, a modern update on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, that brings his former agent Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven) out of retirement to run the studio where Vince is signed. Things seem to be going well until the film goes into post-production and it becomes apparent that more money is needed to complete it. This doesn’t sit well with Texas oilman and studio moneyman Larsen McCredle (Billy Bob Thornton), who sends his overbearing son Travis (Haley Joel Osment) to Hollywood to take over the troubled production.  

Revolving around this central conflict is Turtle’s efforts to woo MMA champion Ronda Rousey, Eric’s coming to terms with Sloan (Emmanuelle Chriqui) the soon-to-be-mother of his child while dating others and everyone dealing with Johnny’s massive ego, a cover-up for his extreme lack of confidence. All of this is dispensed with quickly as one subplot effortlessly dovetails into the other, with Ellin keeping the story moving while punctuating things throughout with numerous Hollywood cameos.  

Much of the success of the show was due to Piven’s star-making turn as the foul-mouthed, short-fused agent whose life seems to revolve around putting out one fire after another that Vince and his boys ignite. The running joke here is that his wife, Mrs. Ari (Perrey Reeves), insists that he can only come out of retirement if he can control his anger and go to therapy regularly. Of course, this is doomed from the start, and Piven’s repeated slow burns and ultimate meltdown is almost worth the price of admission by itself. And as good as he is, Osment is the film’s big surprise, completely convincing as the little man who struggles mightily to emerge from his father’s shadow by throwing his weight around. That you end up feeling sorry for his character despite his obnoxious behavior is a tribute to the actor’s skill.

Breezy, entertaining and as filthy as it ever was, Entourage will satisfy its fans and perhaps win over a few new ones. The door is left wide open for further adventures with Vince and the boys and whether they grace to big screen again remains to be seen. Of course, if Ari were behind the project that would be all but guaranteed – though he would probably have a stroke in the process.

Contact Chuck Koplinski at [email protected].