With a sharp screenplay, some surprisingly poignant dramatic beats, and plenty of classic Looney Tunes hijinks, Coyote vs. Acme stands out in the franchise on its own merit, in spirit and execution.
Written by Eva Mohácsy
After nearly three years in limbo, Coyote vs. Acme finally gets its day in court — and theaters. The life-imitates-art story surrounding the release is a well-earned boost for the film’s publicity — after all, everybody loves an underdog. But with a sharp screenplay, some surprisingly poignant dramatic beats, and plenty of classic Looney Tunes hijinks, the film stands out in the franchise on its own merit, in spirit and execution.
Will Forte (The Four Seasons) perfectly plays cynical injury lawyer Kevin Avery, who specializes in small settlements for cartoon cases, but Wile E. Coyote is the heart and soul of the movie. While most Looney Tunes characters have adapted well over the years, Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner possess a timeless quality as a dialogue-free comedic duo. Wile E.’s physicality and destructive nature are so over-the-top in the best way, reminiscent of silent-era stars like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. While I love tongue-twisting, punny dialogue as much as the next, it’s interesting to see a comedic premise in its simplest form, stripped down to a clear-cut desire and the promise of failure. In the face of said promise, the ability to get back up repeatedly becomes the movie’s emotional crux, as Kevin learns from Wile E. not to give up, not to settle, because while there is the promise of failure, there’s also the promise of maybe. Maybe it’ll work out this time. Maybe Wile E. will catch the Roadrunner.
I knew the movie was something special when it opened with Dr. Lorre (Eric Bauza, The Super Mario Bros. Movie), the mad-scientist parody of Old Hollywood star Peter Lorre. First written as a human scientist, Oscar-nominated screenwriter Samy Burch (May December) fought for Dr. Lorre, and it really pays off, even if it is a minute role. Most of Dr. Lorre’s appearances across Looney Tunes are deeply sinister and play up the eerie villain archetype Peter Lorre was known for across his career. But what’s so special about Peter Lorre’s performances in these roles is a simultaneous vulnerability. In Coyote vs. Acme, Dr. Lorre is more sympathetic than he’s typically portrayed, not the one orchestrating the conspiracy but another reluctant cog in the wheel who can’t see a way out. Not only does this feel much truer to the spirit of Peter Lorre’s performances, but it also showcases an important contemporary shift in who we see as villainous.
The callous CEO of Acme, Foghorn Leghorn (Bauza), ruthless lawyer Buddy Crane (John Cena, Barbie), and his right-hand man Bill (P.J. Byrne, The Wolf of Wall Street), as silly as they may be at times, are also powerful and domineering figures. They use patriotism as a shield from all criticism, change laws in their favor, and cut huge checks to protect themselves, all in the name of quote-unquote progress. Sound familiar? Like the live-action/animation hybrid predecessor Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1968), cartoons are second-class citizens and victims of greedy corporate interests. What was a ripe critique in the nineties is unfortunately still more relevant today, and Coyote vs. Acme artfully places this commentary in a comedic guise palatable for all ages.
The supporting roles all bounce off each other well: Lana Condor (To All the Boys I've Loved Before) as Paige Avery, Kevin’s optimistic niece, Martha Kelly (Euphoria) as the unhelpful Dottie Jones, and Tone Bell (Little) as supportive Sal Maltese. While the latter two have relatively small roles, Martha Kelly’s dry delivery always gets a chuckle from the audience. Luis Guzmán as the no-nonsense judge was a great addition too.
Whereas the story is strong, the movie is visually lackluster. The animations blend well with the live-action, expertly directed by Dave Green (Earth to Echo), particularly in the painted train tunnel sequence. But for a movie so lively, the live-action visuals are often dull, lacking shadow and dimension. The New Mexico desert, for example, with its long, winding roads, should have palpable depth on a big screen, but instead it feels very flat.
When it comes down to it, it’s Wile E. who shines brightest, and the story’s ability to capture the humanity of a silent, murderous predator is no easy feat. There are plenty of cameos of Looney Tunes’ favorites, but they never overstay or insist upon their presence. Though the cartoon logic naturally stretches a bit by the third act, the movie knows where its emotional core is and doesn’t stray from it.
Coyote vs. Acme is now playing in theatres.
Photo: Courtesy of VVS Films
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