‘TAG’ is more than just a comedy

I saw “TAG” at a drive-in while I was in New York. I was surrounded by family and didn’t know that this comedic film would turn into a reflection of life and the importance of small things.

“TAG” is based off of real-life events of a group of 10 adult men. This group has been friends since they were young, and kept the same game of tag running for years. It’s easy to imagine the number of stories that have come from this group and the film shows the importance of the game to them. No matter the situation, through a wife giving birth or the funeral of a loved one, the game goes on and has kept the friends close for many years.

The film, however, tells the story of a recent gathering of the group. Jerry Pierce, played by Jeremy Renner, has never been tagged and is getting married during the month this game is played. Pierce and his soon to be wife decide not to invite the group of friends to their wedding due to fear that they will take the game too far and ruin the event. Hogan “Hoagie” Malloy, played by Ed Helms, finds out about this and takes it upon himself to round everyone up and go to Pierce’s wedding to tag him.

The film takes place during a single weekend and, of course, at Pierce’s wedding events. We first see grown Hoagie at an interview for a job for a custodial position. After getting the job, he insists he start right away, just in time for an interview that one of the friends, Bob Callahan, played by Jon Hamm, is having done about his company. The two eventually team up and go to get Randy ‘Chilli’ Cilliano, played by Jake Johnson, and Kevin Sable, played by Hannibal Buress. Now the whole team recruited, they set out to tag Pierce.

The casting of the group seemed odd to me at first, but after watching clips and trailers, and then the movie, I can’t imagine anyone else playing the roles. The group has such a diverse sense of humor that doesn’t clash.

Hoagie is clearly the most determined character and Helms pulls off this trait very well. Hamm and Renner are two that are not typically in the comedy genre, but had lines that I think only they could pull off. With a more confident, maybe even arrogant, attitude for Renner, and a bit awkward for Hamm, the two balanced the group very well. Johnson played the typical stoner hippie role, but instead of the stereotypical personality he seemed to show more complexities of his character. It showed that he is the type of guy who can get along or relate with anyone and that he’s really the best kind of friend. Finally, Buress’ character, this role was most likely my favorite because of how nonchalant the character was. The humor was more of one-liners that were timed perfectly and Buress pulled the role off so well, I couldn’t think of anyone better.

While the friends reunite and play this game, they also learn a lot more about each other. Upon the many interviews I watched, one of the best ways the group explained the game of tag was, it’s just a way for them to stay in touch. I thought the movie would be all about the game of tag and at the end Pierce would finally be it, but it was much more than that. You see their bonds rekindle and their childish side come out for a little while. It’s a way for them to get out of the everyday rut. The end of the film wraps up the story very well and you understand why everything happens.

Overall, the film took me by surprise. You end up with a real story with a real ending, but there’s still hope and happiness to wrap everything up. It’s a story to encourage your childish side and to remember what’s important in life.