Since the release of “The Hangover,” Bradley Cooper has been a leading man in an array of hit movies. With the success and award attention for his recent film, “Silver Linings Playbook,” I felt that looking into one of his lesser known films would be a good way to show where this Academy Award-nominated actor began.
Twelve years ago, Bradley Cooper was just another struggling actor trying to get roles. In 2001, he was offered a minor role in an independent comedy with an all-star cast entitled “Wet Hot American Summer.” Some of his co-stars included Paul Rudd, Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce and Amy Poehler.
The story is about a group of camp counselors in the early 1980s on the last day of camp looking for love and meaning in life before they have to head home the next day.
Each counselor has his or her own story and relationship issue. Amy Poehler plays Susie, the camp’s talent show coordinator, who works with Cooper’s character, Ben, on the final show of camp, a rendition of “Godspell.” Ben and counselor McKinley, by played Michael Ian Black, are having a secret love affair of their own. Ben and McKinley’s relationship shocks some of the other counselors, creating for more comedic greatness.
Camp counselor Coop, played by Michael Showalter, is madly in love with Katie, played by Marguerite Moreau, although she is dating Andy, played by Rudd.
Some of the best aspects of this film are the comic over-exaggerations. When something occurs on the camp, no matter how small it may be, the actors portray it 10 times more to get that laugh.
This film is a must see for any slapstick comedy lover. Also if you’re a Bradley Cooper fan, this character he plays will definitely surprise you and show you the kinds of roles he is capable of playing. Since this is the beginning of Cooper’s career, his role is not a lead like many of his today but you can see his passion for his character. Even today, Cooper still says Black is the best kisser of all his co-stars.
One of the best roles of the entire film has to be camp chef Gene, played by Christopher Meloni. Most people know Meloni as the straight-laced cop on “Law and Order: SVU.” Gene, a Vietnam War veteran, struggles with mental demons that he copes with by speaking to the can of vegetables he has befriended.
In the end, the epic dance sequence between counselor Coop and Gene is what makes the entire film a classic.
