“There’s a lot more to life than being really, really, ridiculously good looking.”
Welcome to JOE’s Spoiler Series, where we take you behind the scenes on some of our favourite films. This is your *SPOILER ALERT* warning, no more excuses now.
Ready? Then follow us as we find out all there is know about the cult-classic comedy, Zoolander.
Title: Zoolander
Director: Ben Stiller
Release Date: 28 September 2001
Worldwide Box Office: $45,172,250
Tag Line: 3% Body Fat. 1% Brain Activity.
Plot’s it all about?
Much like Wayne’s World, The Blues Brothers and, erm, Coneheads, Zoolander continues the tried and trusted trend of turning a beloved sketch into a full-length feature. I’m a massive fan of this film because the comedy really works because of one simple truth: the entire fashion industry is utterly ridiculous.
Think about it, models are idolised because they can walk and have ‘the right look’ while some of the stuff that designers create probably looks like it genuinely belongs in the Derelicte range. Don’t believe me? The line between parody and truth is so close that Mugatu’s actual Derelicte clothing line was replicated by British designer John Galliano.
Here’s the original skit that Stiller and Drake Sather created for the VH1 Fashion Awards in 1996 and 1997. You can see that the crux of the character was already in place before the cameras started rolling.
With this in mind here are some reasons why we absolutely love Zoolander.
1) The opening sequence
Did you know that this was actually filmed during the 200o Vogue/VH1 fashion awards? When Derek walks up to the stage to give one of the most idiotic acceptance speeches of all-time, despite the fact he actually lost to Hansel, Stiller genuinely recorded the scene while the real event was taking its ad-breaks.
2) The looks
They’re all different. It’s like night and day and unlike those ‘abo-digitals’, it seems like Derek isn’t worried about a photograph stealing a part of his soul.
3) He’s so right now
The role of Hansel was specifically written for Owen Wilson because Stiller knew just how funny he can be. This line about Sting constantly cracks me up. Ladies and gents, the harmless vanity and stupidity of male models is here in one picture.
4) This punchline
In a very odd twist of events, American Psycho author Brett Easton Ellis wrote a satirical novel in 1998 about a vacuous male model that becomes a pawn in an international terrorist conspiracy. He sued the creators of Zoolander before reaching a financial settlement.
I wonder if Stiller got the final word in, unlike this scene which has an absolutely cracking punchline.
5) Orange Mocha Frappuccino!
The absurdity, stupidity and comedic timing in this scene is absolute gold. Whenever I hear the music mixed off at the 1:44 mark I crack up.
6) We learned so much
7) There’s no place like home
Haven’t we all returned home to visit our family at some point, only to be struck down with the dreaded black lung? I’ll tell you something, Derek Zoolander is the finest Merman that ever graced this earth.
8) The best line in the film
The delivery on this line from Ben Stiller’s own father Jerry is absolutely superb.
9) Meet Mugatu
The role was originally written for Andy Dick but his commitments to a failed TV show called Go Fish meant that he had to pass.
Thank God because Will Ferrell absolutely nails every scene that he’s in. The awkward, seductive and creepy facial expressions here between the two actors is absolutely brilliant.
10) The Derek Zoolander Center For Kids Who Can’t Read Good And Wanna Learn To Do Other Stuff Good Too.
It’s a shame that it’s a center for ants
11) He can dere-lick his own balls
Hansel really should have known that Derek was an ambi-turner, it would have made this walk-off completely unnecessary. Let’s dance!
12) David Duchovny’s incredible improvised line.
Did you know that this line wasn’t even in the original script?
Stiller genuinely forgot his line and needed something to fill. We should be very thankful that Duchovny’s character, the world’s greatest hand model, isn’t as thick as the other models because his reply is absolute gold.
13) Mind reading at its finest
14) Strangest orgy ever
Christine Taylor is Stiller’s wife in real life and I have no idea how you give direction to your missus about making love to your mate, Finnish dwarfs and random Maoris.
15) Cool story, Hansel
16) The files are in the computer
A quality homage to 2001: A Space Odyssey here.
17) A magnum-sized ending
Did you know that the film was banned in Malaysia because of the plot to kill their Prime Minister while, in the rest of Asia, the name of the country was changed to Micronesia?
18) Uptown Funk gon’ give it to you
Mark Ronson made a small appearance as a DJ in the film. Saturday night and we’re in the spot, don’t believe me, just watch (Come on).
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