Too many jokes feel forced in Selina Fillinger’s madcap comedy about a group of women staffers dealing with a bumbling president.
From left, Stephanie Styles, Deirdre Lovejoy, Kim Blanck and Allison Guinn star in Selina Fillinger’s gleefully feminist satire, “POTUS.”The Oval Office gets bent in the cartoonish political satire “POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive.”
Directed by Annie Tippe, this loopy lampoon tries far too hard to tickle the funny bone with its cheesy stock caricatures, nonstop profanity, and dated political zingers. There are numerous bawdy jokes, from phallic gags to a running bit about breastfeeding, but none of the vigorous vulgarity feels particularly edgy. The tart social commentary about gender bias also evokes more wry smiles than full-throttle laughter.
They both have explosive news to share while a frazzled reporter hunts for a scoop and the Michelle Obama-esque first lady tries hard to look more “earthy.” Doors are slammed, sculptures flung and liaisons launched in hall closets. Tippe, who also directed the memorable “Octet,” doesn’t keep the pace fast and furious enough and the comic timing often feels off, with some punchlines rushed, and others dragged out way past the point of patience. Farce should feel light and effortless at its best but here the funny lines often feel forced and formulaic.
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