Since his appearance in the wonderfully homoerotic Jackass 2, Mike Judge has further intrigued me, having enjoyed numerous moments over the years with the animated sit-com, King of the Hill. Intrigue has now transformed into respect, as Judge’s fourth feature film has been released on DVD with a ‘MA 15+’ rating accompanied by a “Strong drug use” warning. Like I said, intrigue and then respect.
Never mind the upfront statements that Judge makes with regards to the overly-litigious nature of America today, the plight of cottage industries in the ever-growing shadow of corporate monoliths, the validity of polygamy and the frustrating, persistent ignorance of suburban/ small town working folk (reminiscent of comedian Bill Hicks, whose love for his home in the Deep South also meant that its faults became easier to see). What matters most in this film, as alluded to in the preceding paragraph, is the manner in which Judge handles the issue of illicit drug use. It seems as if the Beavis and Butthead creator has exalted himself from the ranks of the dorm-room stoner to the wider world of ordinary citizens attempting to conceive what this whole ‘drug thing’ is really about.
As one would expect, Extract never takes itself too seriously, but in a similar vein to John Hughes’ Breakfast Club, Judge manages to deftly interweave a consistent poignancy throughout the film. And the drug-using characters are not exempt from such treatment. Drugs first appear in the movie when the viewer is introduced to ‘Dean’, the protagonist’s sole male confidant who works behind the bar at his regular liquor haunt. Dean’s introduction is not intended to cement credibility as he presents Aprazolam to Joel as a cure-all for any of life’s difficulties. However, Dean’s ‘far out’ mindset is depicted in line with the humour of the movie and the character (with due credit also deserved by a pleasantly surprising Ben Affleck) becomes less caricature and more affable and realistic, especially when compared to other cinematic peers.
Dean then accidentally hands Joel, who eventually acquiesces to his friend’s insistent suggestions, a hit of Ketamine instead of Alprazolam. But instead of the usual blurred camera effects and the hackneyed ‘drug-fuelled chaos’ scenario, Judge opts for a startlingly low-key experience whereby the previously uninitiated Joel maintains the ability to speak, does not vomit and avoids confrontation with the law. Of most interest to me was the depiction of a character experiencing drugs but still continuing to primarily be the same person in possession of the same traits, such as sense of humour, that were present prior to the consumption of the drug. The notion that people always transform into something entirely different following the use of drugs has been overstated in two-dimensional Hollywood and Judge’s departure is refreshing.
The low-key tone, representative of the entire film, then continues and the arrival of the second ‘feature’ drug scene is equally hilarious and realistic. Dean is again the facilitator and on this occasion he convinces Joel to smoke pot as a means to relaxation. Joel explains to his friend that his past experience of smoking is the quick onset of paranoia, a realistic scenario, but ends up smoking the five-foot long bong anyway. What the viewer soon discovers is that Joel’s ‘diagnosis’ is in fact inaccurate, and what he actually experiences is a disconcerting uncertainty borne of consuming an illicit, psychoactive substance that is exacerbated by unfamiliar surroundings. What Joel experiences, effectively depicted by Judge with the employment of first-person camera viewpoints, seems quite natural for a character with his disposition and social standing, but would also be fitting for anyone who is inexperienced and uneducated about drugs.
What we don’t see in the pot-smoking scene is:
a) Joel attempting to jump out any windows from drug-induced psychosis or the sudden onset of a belief in the ability to fly
b) Joel running out of the room screaming in terror
c) Joel accusing his smoking buddies of lacing the pot or any other conspiracy
d) Joel making animal noises
Subsequent to the two primary drug-taking scenes in Extract, the film’s protagonist not only returns to his regular life, but actually makes decisions that lead to a significant improvement in his situation. Joel does not become addicted to crack-cocaine, does not lose everything and does not end up in front of a magistrate. In effect, the preceding story becomes a life lesson for Joel and he draws upon it to strengthen his marriage, develop his sense of compassion and improve the relationship with his employees. He even maintains his friendship with Dean, who remains the same and continues to work behind the bar. The zenith of the film’s treatment of illicit drugs, also presented in a matter-of-fact manner, arrives in the penultimate scene when a passing Dean pats Joel on the back and explains that “Some people are just not meant to take drugs. And you’re one of those people Joel.” No big deal. No proselytising; no redemption; no romanticising; no glorification; just a simple statement of fact that does nothing to detract from Joel’s credibility. Easily done.
No wonder this film never received a theatrical release. Click here for more information.
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