Movie Review: 'Hot Tub Time Machine' has much to offer for the nostalgic

Adam (John Cusack), Lou (Rob Corddry), and Nick (Craig Robinson) are lifelong friends who are unhappy with their lives. Along with Adam’s nephew, Jacob (Clark Duke), they revisit a favorite ski resort they loved from their late teen years. When they get there, they discover a hot tub that turns out to be a time portal to 1986—they are now trapped in that said time as their younger version, reliving their past and missed opportunities, with a possibility (or impossibility?) of changing their present/future. They must get some vital element (not Plutonium, though) that’s important for the time machine before dawn so they can go back home.

This film is all about the 80’s--the hair, the music, and the slang. The look of that time period is revisited in fine detail. Loosely based on Back to the Future’s time traveling plotline, this film also has Crisper Grover (George McFly from BTTF) making an appearance as a one-armed bellhop. Jacob, who occasionally fades in and out, also has a fear of being erased from existence by accident. It also pokes fun at Quantum Leap, as the main characters’ mirror reflection is their younger selves. Chevy Chase, the repairman, may or may not be a hologram. With much nod to old-school references, the younger generation may have a hard time appreciating (much less getting) the humor and subtleties of the generation.

I enjoyed The Wedding Singer, a film that wouldn’t have worked at all if it took place in the 90’s. This film is a bit like that, mixed with some male-bonding stuff and guys who look back to relive their past. Much like many buddy comedy films as of late, this one fits right in there. There are poignant moments. The characters are likeable and the time travel concept is fun. John Cusack plays his usual, everyman role, but that’s why we like him. Lou (Rob Corddry) provides much of the wild and uncomfortable humor.

Much of the humor is dependent on how much we like the characters. Luckily, each of their dilemmas is interesting. Adam wants a second chance with the one girl he once dumped. Lou wants to get back at his bully. Nick wants to relive his dream as a band vocalist (e.g. Back to the Future) before he gets back. Jacob has to make sure the other guys don’t mess with the timeline that will erase him. Their paths cross and their friendships are tested. This presents them the dilemma of whether they should even attempt to “fix” anything (Back to the Future) or let it play out as history says it should (Quantum Leap)—there isn’t any hard sci-fi, by the way.

The plot works fine within the film's framework. It’s basically a sci-fi B-movie-style broad comedy. This film is directed by Steve Pink who wrote the screenplay for Grosse Pointe Blank and High Fidelity (a great flick costarring Jack Black in perhaps his best role), both of which starred John Cusack. I wished he had written this film because this film could’ve used some of his sharper wit. While the film is mostly funny overall, occasional jokes do fall flat and some parts could’ve used one more draft of rewrite. Much of the humor also (although not surprisingly) tend to be toilet and sexual humor, with some gratuitous drug use and nudity.

The film is not sophisticated, but isn’t trying to be. It’s called Hot Tub Time Machine, after all.  There's no real sci-fi. They know it’s silly and seem to revel in it. There are some fun geeky references, familiar faces, and nostalgic elements for those who grew up in that era. I suppose that makes it a period film…. sort of. 80’s music always sounds much better in film soundtracks anyway.   *** out of **** stars.

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