Bad Words - Story without Root

Bad Words is a black comedy and the first film director credit for Jason Bateman. It opens on the unpopular Guy Trilby, a grown man who has just qualified for a national spelling bee by using a loophole in the registration rules. Hated by all adults, Guy's motivations are a mystery as a local reporter (and casual love interest) played by Kathryn Hahn follows him across the country to chronicle the competition and to also find the motivations behind his bizarre behaviour. 

Things start dark and there are many laughs throughout but the story loses its punch when Guy is befriended by Chaitanya, one of the fellow spellers played by the talented and adorable Rohan Chand. This friendship, while more one sided and often cruel, ends up softening the tone of the film.

Jason Bateman carries the film as the lead and directs competently, however Bad Words is not as black as it tries to be and the story, while intriguing at first, doesn't completely carry through all the way to the end. (C)