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"The D Train"
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U.S. Dramatic
Jack Black and James Marsden give sharp comic performances in "The D Train," a uproarious comedy about high-school acquaintances spinning their own lies. Black plays Dan Landsman, self-appointed leader of his high-school reunion committee, who convinces his belittling alumni members that he can boost attendance by luring back his class' most popular student, actor Oliver Lawless (Marsden), who's biggest role to date is in a sunscreen ad. Dan lies to his boss (Jeffrey Tambor) about landing a big client in L.A., so he can fly out and meet Oliver in person — only to find the L.A. scene has its temptations. The writing-directing team of Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel construct a wickedly funny scenario built on the self-deceptions both Dan and Oliver have built for themselves, and what happens when they blow up in their faces. Paul and Mogel are also blessed with strong supporting players, like Kathryn Hahn and Mike White, to go alone with the boldly funny turns by Black and Marsden.
- Sean P. Means
"The D Train" is screening in the U.S. Dramatic competition of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. It screens again: Saturday, 8:30 a.m., Prospector Square Theatre, Park City; Saturday, 9:30 p.m., The Grand Theatre, Salt Lake City; Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., Eccles Theatre, Park City; Friday, 11:30 a.m., The MARC, Park City.