Honestly, I saw this movie because Ralph Garman is in it. He plays Mark Wahlberg’s dad; he’s only in the movie four minutes, and he’s the reason I saw this movie.
Now don’t get me wrong. I liked the premise, and as Boston resident I’m into any movie that features Boston. That car chase, btw, gets the geography so wrong. But, who cares. I really liked the movie. It’s a pretty basic rom-com plot: immature guy with an immature friend gets pressure from girlfriend to grow up. Only in this case, the immature friend happens to be a teddy bear come to life.
Something that made me really happy is the movie made a point to show that all three characters are genuinely friends. Mila Kunis’s character isn’t written or played as a harpy, and Mark Whalberg’s character really does try to grow up. As in life and most rom-coms, he gets in his own way, blames it on his friend, realizes his friend is just a mirror, and learns an important lesson. Then, happily ever after for everyone.
I’m liking this trend of TV shows and movies (at the least the ones I’m watching) showing healthy romantic relationships. People who are friends and who are willing to compromise. Mila Kunis’s character doesn’t ask Mark Wahlberg’s character to change, just focus a little. Mark Wahlberg’s character wants to mature, he just doesn’t really know how. It’s hard to put away childish things.
And yes, the rest of the movie is raunchy, and hilarious, and Giovanni Ribisi is creepy, and the movie makes you want to watch Flash Gordon
However, like I said at the beginning, I really went to see this movie for Ralph Garman. If he wasn’t in it, I wouldn’t have put in much effort to see Ted. You see, I’ve been listening to Ralph do the “Movie Beat” on The Kevin and Bean Show since I was in high school. I’ve listened to this guy struggle to make it as a working actor. He works hard, and does great voices and impressions. It’s encouraging to know that this guy who has been putting in his time is getting recognized by steady working names like Seth McFarlane and Kevin Smith. So, as a fan of this voice that’s been in my life for over ten years, it was a pleasure to see him in a good project.
