Photo courtesy of Frazer Harrison, Getty Images via Entertainment Weekly.
Ever wonder what it is like to be smack dab in the middle of the Hollywood money, fame, and entertainment industry powerhouse? Well, here you go.
Entourage follows the Hollywood adventures of a group of childhood friends from Queens. They grew up to use LA as their own personal playground while they attempt to conquer the entertainment industry. As most of you probably know, Entourage was first a series on HBO that ran eight seasons from 2004 to 2011. So, let’s meet the entourage.
Essential to any successful entourage is our movie star, Vincent Chase, played by Adrian Grenier. Vince is a talented laid back actor that has discovered the highs and lows of Hollywood. He is currently trying to break into directing. He smokes pot, drinks plenty, and sleeps with whomever he pleases. However this does not affect his caring attitude when it comes to his career and his friends.
Next up is Eric Murphy, or E as the gang refers to him, played by Kevin Connolly. He is a successful talent manager and is also manager to Vince. E is a serial monogamist, which he often gets teased for. However in the movie his struggles with women are put to the test.
Next is Johnny Drama, played by Kevin Dillion, who is Vince’s older brother and a washed up actor who cannot seem to get his big break. If you are having trouble thinking of a real life example, think Kevin Dillion. Drama has been in everything and when I say everything, I mean he has done every type of acting job, or just anything caught on camera.
The last member of the entourage is Turtle, played by Jerry Ferrara. Turtle started as Vince’s driver and is now a millionaire thanks to his tequila company and help from his pal Mark Cuban. Turtle spends his storyline in the movie courting a particular female boxer, and well… break a leg Turtle.
Not technically a member of the entourage itself, but equally as important is Vinnie Chase’s agent the man, the myth, the legend Ari Gold. Ari, played by Jeremy Piven, has recently been made studio head. He is taking his rough talking and take no prisoners attitude to the big leagues. If you want to know Ari Gold in all his glory watch a scene at the end of season 6 where he fires a bunch of employees by shooting them with a paint ball gun. Classic.
One of the greatest aspects of Entourage are the celebrity cameos. The series was known for them and the film holds nothing back with an endless stream of celebrities playing themselves. From Bob Saget, an Entourage regular, to Liam Neeson, this film presents you with a buffet of celebrities for you to go, “oh man is that Gronk?” It is Gronk.
The film does a good job of introducing you to the lovable bunch if you have not seen the show. However it does leave out certain characters from the series and not explain who they are in the film. For instance Shauna who is Vince’s publicist or Billy Walsh who is a director that Vince has worked with several times in the past.
It is no secret that the characters and the banter between them is what drives this movie to be great. To me, it felt like an elongated episode of entourage, which is exactly what I went into the film wanting. The movie picks up nine days after the series leaves off and is just a continuation of the story for the fans of the HBO show. With that being said, you will still enjoy this film if you haven’t watched the series, but you will absolutely like it more if you are already a fan of the show.
All in all, Entourage makes you a part of the gang. It takes you on a wild ride through the struggles of getting a movie made and the hardships of having a personal life in Hollywood. I would recommend watching the series before seeing the movie, but even if you haven’t this movie will be an enjoyable ride along for you as well.
