As someone who has never seen any of the episodes of the award-winning hit HBO television series of the same name that aired between 2004 and 2011, this feature will undoubtedly resonate most with those who have.
Entourage creator Doug Ellin directed the feature and wrote the screenplay from a story he and Rob Weiss conceived. The premise of the TV series was loosely based on Mark Wahlberg’s experiences as an up and coming film star. He was one of the show’s executive producers, a producer on the movie and makes a cameo appearance; one of several notable names that do. Others include Liam Neeson, Jessica Alba, Armie Hammer, David Spade, Kelsey Grammer, Ed O’Neill, Pharrell Williams, former Olympic diver Greg Louganis, New England Patriots Tom Brady and mega-rich businessman Warren Buffett.
Returning cast from the series include Perrey Reeves as Ari Gold’s wife, “Mrs Ari”, Emmanuelle Chriqui as Sloan, Eric’s on-again/off-again love interest and Debi Mazar as Vince’s publicist, Shauna. Rex Lee is back as Ari’s ever-faithful former assistant Lloyd, while Constance Zimmer plays Ari’s colleague Dana Gordon. American model and actress Emily Ratajkowski and champion UFC fighter Ronda Rousey appear as themselves in the film.
The behind-the-scenes creative team reunites several key members who worked on the original series. They include director of photography Steven Fierberg, editor Jeff Groth, production designer Chase Harlan and costume designer Olivia Miles.
For those not in the know, this is all about the guys and their enviable lifestyle of access and excess. The quartet’s de facto leader is movie star Vincent Chase. His best buddies are all homeboys from Queens, New York. There’s the driver/errand boy and tequila mogul Turtle, former pizza maker cum talent manager Eric and Vince’s half-brother, C-list actor Johnny “Drama” Chase.
Entourage showcases expensive toys – super cars and boats – hot girls and famous people, the Hollywood dream in its full glory as experienced through the eyes of these lifelong friends, who weren’t always where they are now. Vincent Chase has just got out of a marriage that didn’t even last a fortnight. He is prevailed upon to make a new movie, which he will only agree to do if he can also direct (something he has never tried before). Now, before the final cut, they are already well over their $100 million budget and Ari Gold is stressed to the max because he has to turn to his co financiers for the extra money and they aren’t exactly being cooperative. The house of cards threatens to crash all around them. Turtle is hot for UFC fighter Ronda Rousey, E is juggling sexual conquests and getting into all sorts of bother as a result, while Drama’s insecurities are tested both personally and professionally.
Initially, I was thinking “what is all the fuss about” because very little appeared to be happening, just boys being boys, shooting off at the mouth and capitalising upon the good fortune they have had. The time seemed to drag, especially when it came to milking the lead-up to the first screening of Vince’s new movie. Fortunately for me, at least, Entourage picked up in the second half and I started to care more about the characters and their respective fates. Nevertheless, this is hardly what I would call noteworthy or memorable cinema.
Vincent Chase looks good, says all the right things, but doesn’t do a great deal of anything. His half brother is a pain in the backside, while their two mates mean well, but are bland. Only Ari Gold provides any real fire and brimstone. As I said at the outset, Entourage the movie is one for aficionados rather than for first timers.
Rated MA, it scores a 5 to 5½ out of 10.
Director: Doug Ellin
Cast: Adrian Grenier, Kevin Connolly, Jerry Ferrara, Jeremy Piven, Kevin Dillon, Rex Lee, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Debi Mazar and Mark Wahlberg
Release Date: 4 June, 2015
Rating: MA15+
Alex First
David Edwards is the editor of The Blurb and a contributor on film and television