6) Frank “The Tank” (Old School)
Easily one of Will Ferrell’s funniest roles, Frank “The Tank” is that confused married man refusing to embrace married life – being tied to “one vagina” as Beanie so eloquently puts it. Frank thinks he’s ready for commitment, dinners at Olive Garden, quiet nights at home with the Mrs. – but then Mitch’s fraternity lifestyle begins and Frank remembers everything he’ll be missing. A low-key night before a day full of shopping at Bed, Bath, and Beyond quickly turns into beer bongs and standing naked on stage with Snoop Dog, transforming Frank completely into The Tank. C’mon, everyone loves Old School, and Frank “The Tank” is a major reason why.
Ferrell’s comedic routine is nearly flawless, and Todd Phillips’ fraternal humor provided strong material for our cast to embrace, but there’s also a tragic arc to Frank’s story. Frank enters marriage as a happy man, but once he starts drinking again, this alter ego of “The Tank” comes alive – a person not even his beautiful wife can contain. So many people seem stable and controlled, but once alcohol hits their lips, to quote Frank, “IT’S SO GOOD!”
[zergpaid]Gone is Frank, and “The Tank” takes over for streaking, destruction, obscenity, and all around party-God assertion. Some see “The Tank” as a hilarious hero, the man who takes Frank’s domesticated life and pukes all over it, but is happiness truly blackout nights of massive drinking and tranquilizer-fuled pool incidents while “The Sound Of Silence” plays?
Old School is a comedy though, and while Frank finds understanding in his actions, there’s also a happy note to it all. Ferrell plays a character who might hit too closely for some, but the character arc ends with positivity, a new attitude, and Whitesnake – so it’s all good.
Published: Apr 20, 2014 10:03 pm