I always find comedies the most difficult films to review, especially the ones I like. A comedy can go so many different directions of bad, so that makes the crap ones easier to write about. But when one goes right, the end result is laughter, or at least a big smile, and without going through the film joke by joke, that makes things tough, but we'll give it try: TED is fucking awesome because it takes the magic of childhood and perverts it in the form of a stuffed, horny vulgarian with a Boston accent (redundant, I know). And I had a hard time not laughing at just about every second of this film.
I know there are plenty of people on this planet who can't stand Seth McFarlane, creator of "Family Guy" among many other things, but I happen to like his sense of humor. But I don't think being a fan is a prerequisite for enjoying TED, a film that, unlike McFarlane animated efforts, has a cohesive story about friendship clashing with love and a future that may force the human center of the story (Mark Wahlberg's John) to part ways with his oldest friend, a worn-out stuffed bear voiced by McFarlane. But Ted isn't one of those imaginary friends that some kids have; no, he's a walking, talking creature that the whole world can see and hear. When John was still a kid, Ted became a superstar (his "Tonight Show" appearance is quite genius), but like all novelty acts, his celebrity faded, and Ted came back to John to live out the rest of his days.
When we meet the grown-up Ted and John, they are getting stoned, eating cheese puffs, and watching the 1980 FLASH GORDON, starring Sam Jones, for the 800th time. John has been dating Lori (Mila Kunis) for four years and working at a rental car dealership. He wants to have a better job and finally get married to Lori, but his inner child (personified by Ted) is holding him back. One of the things I loved most about Ted is that there are no villains among the leads; Lori isn't trying trying to keep Ted and John apart. She just wants John to grow up, and she doesn't think that can happen with Ted living with them (clearly, she has tried living this way for years).
So the real fun in TED comes when the bear moves out, gets a job, and is constantly tempting John to get together and fall back into their old patterns at a new address. I don't mean to imply there are no villains at all in the movie. Giovanni Ribisi is especially twisted as Donny, who is looking to buy or otherwise acquire Ted for his special son. I think the film would have been just as good without that subplot, but it certainly doesn't spoil the fun. In fact, there's a moment with Ribisi that might stand as the creepiest moment of the year on film; it involves him dancing; you'll know it when you see it.
TED works first and foremost because the relationship strike an honest chord. Ted is obviously a metaphor for those friends we keep from our youth who maybe don't grow with us and are still clinging to the past. And the conversations Ted and John have actually sound like two good friends shooting the shit on any number of topics. But the biggest surprise was how even-handed Lori is written by McFarlane (and fellow "Family Guy" co-writers Alec Sulkin and Wellesley Wild). She's not a nagging harpy and shrieking bitch. Instead, she's the most rational thinking of them all and certainly the character with all the patience.
But TED is a great comedy not just because it has heart, which it does; it's great because it's funny in ways I haven't seen before, certainly not from McFarlane. There is some strong supporting work from the likes of Joel McHale, Patrick Warburton, and Matt Walsh, as well as some downright inspired cameos (I won't ruin those), but this film's core strength belongs to Wahlberg (who is so much more than just a straight man to the bear), Kunis, and McFarlane's Ted. I've seen a few truly inspired R-rated comedies this year, but Ted tops them all for sheer volume of laughter. Will you find it too gross or going too far at times? Let's hope so.
