Director: Mike Judge
Cast: Jason Bateman, Mila Kunis, Kristen Wiig, J.K. Simmons
Certificate: 15

Joel (Bateman) owns an extract plant making food flavourings. He has a busy life, an unfulfilling marriage, and the world’s most annoying neighbour. He’s on the cusp of selling the factory but his main aim in life is beating the 8 o’clock "sweatpant deadline", which he has failed to do for the past three months - once his wife (Wiig) gets those trousers are on, they're not coming off.

Frustrated, he vents his anxieties at the morally bankrupt bartender at his local (an excellent Ben Affleck). Life ambles on agreeably until a freak accident at the factory, costing a worker lose his left testicle. The potential lawsuit endangers the lucrative buyout. Then the hot but tricksy Cindy (Kunis) arrives at the plant and starts showing an interest in flavourings, driving the frustrated Joel back to Dean’s bar and his wonder box of drugs.

Under the influence of magic K (horse tranquiliser), Dean talks Joel into a ridiculous scheme, enabling him to sleep with Cindy guilt-free. Sufficed to say, things don’t pan out. Throw in a moronic gigolo, a crazed lawyer (played by Gene Simmons) and Joel's dry but indifferent boss, Brian (J.K. Simmons), and you have a great ensemble cast in a hugely enjoyable movie.

VERDICT

Extract is a bright and witty comedy from the director of Office Space. Yes, it’s all about balls, but in a good way.

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