A one-hit mini-season wonder, The Spoils of Babylon a spoof on soap operas, has been released on DVD. The campy six episodes were shown on the Independent Film Channel in 2014 and are a satire to the movie making industry with cardboard cut-out sets, green screen epic views, one camera cinematography, simplified special effects and other cheaply devised movie tricks. Whew! That was a mouthful. That said, the 6 part miniseries homage strikes the silly heart strings resonating to those who have worked in the industry and love the life. For all you other folks this comedy’s just a flat out mash up of plots from Gone with the Wind, Giant, “Rich Man, Poor Man” and even a little bit of “Dynasty” to name a few.
Book writer, director, producer Eric Jonrosh (Will Farrell in over-the-top make-up) has put together a film based on his serious novel. Reduced down to 138 minutes from 1,320 minutes for television viewers, the six part miniseries opens with the writer’s insights on each episode. Telling his story Orson Welles’s style, the movie opens with a shooting incident whereby lead character Devon Morehouse (Tobey Maguire), a member of the upper crust, finds his way to his big city office and tells his life story.
A runaway found on a lonely stretch of highway by Jonas Morehouse (Tim Robbins) and renamed Devon Morehouse, he was raises him alongside his sister Cynthia Morehouse (Kristen Wiig). Jonas owns a lot of land in Texas where he drills for oil each day in a new spot. The two siblings are very close, especially Cynthia who has an instant crush on Devon reminding him frequently that he is not a blood relative.
The story goes on from there following Devon as he goes off to war, gets married to Lady Anne York (Carey Mulligan), kicking a drug habit, and a whole lot more. Directed and co-written by Matt Piedmont, the filmmaker uses stereotypical props, sets and scenery that soaps have made a mainstay for years. He does it very well however, sucking in his audience eager to see the next installment of this wacky story.
The acting by the fine cast gets really way-out amateurish, intentionally of course, as they bring the half-baked characters to the screen. Tobey Maguire must have been in hog heaven making Devon Morehouse the all-embracing example of past and modern day soap stars. He seems to be having a lot of fun doing it too, as in some scenes you can tell he’s holding back a laugh or mystified that he actually said the lines given to him. I’m sure there’s plenty of improvisation also, since most all the cast intentional over-acts.
I do like Kristin Wigg in the role of the forsaken Cynthia Morehouse who cannot get Devon to accept her as a love object. She’s a smart cookie however, being able to run her father’s oil empire with an iron fist. But, Wigg’s best foot forward comes with her devious plan to “take over the world”… no that’s another movie. Here she only wants the wealth coming to her and Devon to share it with. Well something like that.
The Spoils of Babylon does not have a TV rating nor a DVD rating, but contains mock violence, language, sexuality, drug use, and smoking. Be cautious when deciding to allow immature children see the film as it does have scenes that are inappropriate for adolescents.
FNAL ANALYSIS: A campy silly comedy mini-series that compels you to go on to the next installment. (B-)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: Will Ferrell, Tobey Maguire, Kristen Wiig, Tim Robbins, Val Kilmer, Jessica Alba, Jellybean Howie, Molly Shannon, Haley Joel Osment, Michael Sheen
Created and written by: Matt Piedmont and Andrew Steele
Rating: Not Rated, contains mock violence, language, sexuality, drug use, smoking
Genre: Comedy
Running Time: 2 hrs. 18 min.
Original TV Release Date: 2014 on IFC
Video Release Date: March 8, 2016
Language: English
Reviewed Format: DVD
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
Video: Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 2.40:1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish
Number of Discs: 1 Disc
Distributed by: Anchor Bay Entertainment
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
