Soap operas have been popular for a good 70-80 years on T.V. and the radio. However, when it comes to their stature on the celebrity totem pole soap stars might very well be second to last; with only the Casting Central actors who appear in commercials with their dimples, moles, and all below them. Reality T.V. stars, porn actors, WWE wrestlers, and sports talk radio jocks are ahead of them. With their ludicrous story lines, goody-two shoes vs. villain battles, and the poor acting I have often wondered why people watch these maudlin T.V. shows in the afternoon. I guess it is because they are there, I suppose.
I have watched soaps in the past so I know what they are all about. It's just that there's better things to do in the afternoon when I'm not working. Still, plenty of bored, desperate housewives and college kids tune in for a good laugh...or to be put to sleep.
I got Carpool Guy for my Mom because she's a fan of the Young And The Restless and four of the actors are in the cast. She might recognize a few others because these actors jump from soap to soap, it seems.
The movie is about some executive who gets a homeless man to sit in his front seat so he can use the carpool lane to get to work faster. Obviously, movies about this aren't in high demand. David Paymer and Rod Steiger made a movie called Carpool ten years ago and it did little in the box office. This one has lower standards and it can't even meet them. It is pretty much an unrealistic film much like anything you'd see in a soap.
The acting here is absolutely brutal; typical of the genre, except for Anthony Geary. Geary, who plays the title character, is pretty hilarious. He has actual acting chops and comedic talent. He could have gone farther in Hollywood but he was pretty famous as one half of the Luke and Laura supercouple with Genie Francis and so didn't need to go up in the food chain. And yes, once again Lauralee Bell shows you why being Bill Bell's daughter was the only reason she has a job. 20 years on the Y&R and she still administers the same one-note emoting that David Caruso uses; only difference is that Caruso has real talent. I've seen better actresses in movies where the acting is secondary to something else.
Bottom line: If you love soaps you'll love this one but if you think soap operas are as legitimate as a WWE wrestling match then this won't change your mind.
