This arrested development has already been heavily emphasized by filmmaker Judd Apatow, but McFarlane obviously feels that this concept has not been explored nearly as much as it should be. Frankly, while the on-screen portrayals of man-children are indeed funny, they still unintentionally assist in perpetuating the self-importance of men who see growing up as an injustice in life as opposed to the natural flow of existence. Nevertheless, one has to admit that “Ted” is laugh-out-loud hilarious, despite its idealized approach to permanent male adolescence.
The opening of the film sets the comedic tone — in 1985 there is a boy called John Bennett living in the outskirts of Boston. On Christmas Day he tries to play outside with the neighborhood boys, but because he is so unpopular he is immediately shunned and cannot even rise to the ranks of “being the kid beaten up by bullies.” John’s Christmas gift from his parents is a stuffed teddy bear. This poor boy is so lonely that he makes a wish to Father Christmas: He wants Ted the teddy bear to come to life, so he can be his best friend forever and ever. Wouldn’t you know it, his wish is granted, and the next morning Ted is a walking, talking stuffed animal with a really wicked sense of humor. Ted becomes a celebrity in America, appearing on celebrity talk shows and dating super hot models, but then he is forgotten (“Just like Corey Feldman,” the narrator tells us) and becomes a washed-up has-been.
The year is now 2011, and Ted is living with the 35-year-old John (Mark Wahlberg) and John’s four-year girlfriend Lori (the super-talented Mila Kunis). John is working a menial job at a rental car company and except for Lori, his life is stuck in limbo, in which he incessantly smokes pot with Ted and watches DVDs on the sofa. But Lori has had enough; she wants Ted to move out so she and John can begin a new “adult” chapter in their lives. It’s kind of sad that the female character has to be vilified in this scenario, because what is abundantly shown is that Ted and John are having such a grand time together laughing and hanging out that Lori does not have the right to ruin this buddy relationship.
The comedic infrastructure of the film relies mostly on Ted and his jokes. Just imagine a stuffed teddy bear with a hardcore Boston accent that likes to make politically incorrect jokes and picks a fight with anyone he doesn’t like. It is quite intriguing when you think about it; after all, one of the cutest stuffed animals, which you would normally like to cuddle and squeeze, is presented here as an obnoxious figure that brings out the cynic in you. This is truly a creative choice, in my opinion.
When John realizes that he is about to lose Lori, he finally asks Ted to move out of the apartment and tries to move on with his life. The problem is that John cannot function in daily life without his best buddy, and he eventually gives in to Ted’s attempts to continue their previous adolescent existence. Of course, the plot point will turn, and both Ted and John will realize, to their dismay, that they can’t go on like this, and will try to make it up to Lori. It’s kind of sweet how they struggle so hard when they realize their mistakes, even though deep inside we feel that their struggle to grow up is mandatory, not voluntary.
“Ted” is an enjoyable film. As a comedy it has brilliant timing, an imaginative and bold sense of humor that does not get tired and possibly a good heart at its core. Still, growing up should not be so hard, and best-buddy male relationships can be unconvincing when they are so glorified, such as in the likes of “Ted.”
‘Ted’
Directed by: Seth MacFarlane
Country: US
Genre: comedy
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel McHale, Seth MacFarlane
(Today’s Zaman)
