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August 18th, 2007
Given time, every movie becomes a comedy.
Example: Bushwacked.
Originally released in 1995 as one of the first serious roles that Daniel Stern of Home Alone fame had taken on after a string of comedies, Bushwhacked became the splintering tentpole to his eventual, silent fall from mainstream media and the public eye.
The movie deals with very adult themes such as crime, violence, and emotional fallout; but is viewed by audiences today as more of a satire of its original intent: crime/drama.
During the course of the movie, Stern dishonestly earns the trust of a group of Boy Scouts by posing as their Scout leader. Not given the knowledge that their new leader has no former training or experience in this field, the Scouts turn to him for guidance, unknowingly. Through this, Stern finds himself going through several painful and emotional obstacles that threaten his life and well being. These events summarily bring the group closer together and are a catalyst for Stern’s character, allowing him to finally perceive right from wrong and apologize for his actions.
Over the years, the events taking place in this movie have become more satiracal, and the brutal physical punishment has been looked at as slapstick. The language, once considered harsh and impolite, is now commonplace and serves as the ironic epitaph for this once-great coming of age tale.
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