Get Him to the Greek 2010
Directed by
Nicholas Stoller
Made by
Universal Pictures
Plot Summary
Rock star Aldous Snow faces a harsh reality after the release of his new album and its lead single, “African Child,” which receives dismal reviews, even being labeled by NME as “the worst thing to happen to Africa since the apartheid.” Following this professional failure, his girlfriend Jackie Q (played by Rose Byrne) takes their son Naples away from him, leading Aldous into a downward spiral of excessive drinking and drug use.
On the other side of the spectrum, we have Aaron Green (portrayed by Jonah Hill), an ambitious college graduate working as a talent scout at Pinnacle Records in Los Angeles. Balancing his demanding job and the struggles of a relationship with his girlfriend Daphne (Elisabeth Moss), who is consumed by her internship, Aaron finds himself in a tough spot as Pinnacle Records grapples with financial losses. When the company’s head, Sergio Roma (Sean “Diddy” Combs), seeks fresh ideas, Aaron proposes bringing Aldous to perform at the Greek Theatre in celebration of an iconic anniversary show.
As he embarks on a journey to retrieve Aldous from London, Aaron’s life begins to unravel. An emotional farewell with Daphne quickly turns sour when their discussion about moving to Seattle escalates into a fight, leaving Aaron feeling uncertain about their relationship. Once he tracks down Aldous, chaos ensues as they make their way through the city, missing flights and indulging in a wild night of debauchery, where Aaron’s phone inadvertently shows Daphne unflattering glimpses of his antics.
Despite the chaos, the duo finally arrives in New York for Aldous’ highly-anticipated return performance. Under pressure from Sergio to keep Aldous sober, Aaron sacrifices his own sobriety to ensure Aldous stays on track. As the performance approaches, Aldous struggles to remember the lyrics to “African Child,” leading to a moment of panic for Aaron as he attempts to salvage the situation. What follows is a spontaneous performance of one of Aldous’ classics, “The Clap,” igniting excitement among the crowd.
However, Aldous’s personal demons begin to surface, compelling him to push Aaron further into morally questionable situations, including smuggling drugs. Along the way, Aaron discovers that Aldous is merely masking a profound loneliness stemming from separation from his son and a lack of love from his own father. Despite attempts to encourage Aldous to confront his issues by seeking reconciliation with Jackie and his father, the road trip quickly spirals into more disarray, involving mishaps and a disastrous encounter with drugs that leaves Aaron believing he is having a heart attack.
Their misadventures reach a climactic point when Aldous inadvertently creates a scene that puts them in danger, but amid the chaos, Aaron learns vital lessons about himself, his relationships, and the burden of responsibility. The seconds before the performance invite a moment of introspection as Aldous is reassured by Aaron that he is loved and waited for by thousands of fans.
Arriving at the Greek Theatre, Aldous is ready to perform despite his injuries, while Aaron, feeling disillusioned, decides to leave his job in favor of embracing a healthier path in his personal life. In the end, after months apart, Aaron finds peace in Seattle, where Aldous, having embraced sobriety, enjoys renewed success, fueled by their unforgettable escapade, culminating in Aaron’s own triumphant story lined with life lessons and genuine connections.
Timeline
Aldous Faces Criticism
Aldous Snow releases his new album and lead single, 'African Child.' The single is met with harsh criticism, being labeled by NME as the worst thing to happen to Africa since apartheid, marking the beginning of Aldous's professional downfall.
Jackie Leaves Aldous
Following the negative reception of his album, Aldous's girlfriend Jackie Q takes their son Naples away from him. This action plunges Aldous deeper into despair, leading him to indulge in excessive drinking and drug use.
Aaron's Ambitious Proposal
Aaron Green, a talent scout at Pinnacle Records, is facing pressure at work due to the company's financial losses. He proposes the idea of bringing Aldous Snow to perform at the Greek Theatre to his boss, Sergio Roma, hoping to turn their fortunes around.
Aaron's Breakup
Before embarking on his journey to find Aldous, Aaron has an emotional farewell with his girlfriend Daphne. Their conversation about moving to Seattle escalates into a fight, leaving Aaron uncertain about their future together.
Chaos in London
Upon finding Aldous in London, Aaron's attempts to retrieve him quickly spiral into chaos. They miss flights and engage in a wild night of debauchery, with Aaron's phone revealing unflattering footage to Daphne, straining his personal relationships further.
Arrival in New York
Aaron and Aldous finally arrive in New York for the highly-anticipated performance. As the pressure mounts from Sergio to keep Aldous sober, Aaron sacrifices his sobriety, highlighting the weight of responsibility he feels for Aldous's well-being.
Struggles with Performance
Facing the pressure of the upcoming performance, Aldous struggles to remember the lyrics to 'African Child.' In a moment of panic, Aaron attempts to salvage the situation, showcasing his commitment to helping Aldous succeed despite his own battles.
Spontaneous Performance
Amidst the chaos, Aldous pulls off an unexpected performance of his classic song 'The Clap.' The crowd's excitement provides a temporary reprieve from the underlying tensions between him and Aaron as they navigate their struggles.
Confronting Personal Demons
As the pair continue their journey, Aldous's personal demons begin to surface, leading him into morally questionable situations, including drug smuggling. Aaron learns that Aldous is deeply affected by his separation from Naples and feels unloved by his father.
Road Trip Misadventures
During their road trip, mishaps abound, culminating in Aaron believing he is having a heart attack due to heavy drug use. This incident serves as a significant wake-up call for both men about the dangers of their lifestyle.
Moment of Introspection
In the crucial seconds right before Aldous's performance, he receives reassurance from Aaron that he is loved by his fans. This moment highlights Aldous's need for connection and the importance of support from friends.
Aldous's Performance Despite Injuries
Despite suffering injuries and battling his addictions, Aldous takes the stage for his performance at the Greek Theatre. His determination to perform emphasizes the chaotic but meaningful journey he's taken in his career.
Aaron's Career Change
Feeling disillusioned after the tumultuous experience, Aaron chooses to leave his job at Pinnacle Records. This decision reflects his desire to pursue a healthier path and reassess his priorities in life.
Aldous's Sobriety and Success
Months after their adventures, Aldous embraces sobriety and finds renewed success in his career. His transformation signifies the positive changes in his life influenced by his connection with Aaron during their chaotic journey.
Aaron Finds Peace
After the dramatic events, Aaron settles in Seattle, reflecting on the journey that has now come to a close. He finds peace and fulfillment, ensuring that the lessons he learned from Aldous become a foundation for a better life.
Characters
Aldous Snow (Russell Brand)
Aldous Snow is a washed-up rock star struggling with addiction and personal loss. His wild persona often masks his profound loneliness and desire for love, especially from his son and father. Throughout the movie, he illustrates the darker side of fame and the emotional void that accompanies it.
Aaron Green (Jonah Hill)
Aaron Green is an ambitious and determined talent scout thrust into chaotic circumstances. His character evolves as he navigates relationships, responsibilities, and the tumultuous lifestyle of Aldous. Aaron's journey is marked by self-discovery and a quest for personal fulfillment, as he learns to make healthier choices.
Setting
Time period
The film reflects contemporary themes of fame and personal struggle, as it showcases the challenges faced by a modern rock star and a young talent scout. The events unfold in a present-day context, addressing issues like substance abuse, career pressures, and personal relationships.
Location
London, New York, Greek Theatre, Seattle
The movie spans multiple cities, starting in London, where Aldous Snow's chaotic lifestyle spirals out of control. It transitions to New York, culminating in a highly-anticipated performance at the Greek Theatre. The story also touches on Seattle, representing a place of healing and new beginnings for Aaron Green.
Themes
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Debauchery
The theme of debauchery is prevalent as Aldous Snow and Aaron Green indulge in a wild lifestyle filled with excessive drinking and drug use. This excess serves as a coping mechanism for both characters, leading to consequences that highlight the burden of fame and personal responsibility. Ultimately, it shows the struggle between hedonism and self-discovery.
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Loneliness
Loneliness is a central theme as both Aldous and Aaron grapple with their personal relationships. Aldous's separation from his son and his emotional detachment from his father reveal a deeper sense of isolation. Aaron faces his own loneliness amid career pressures and a turbulent relationship, emphasizing the need for connection and love.
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Redemption
The narrative encapsulates a journey toward redemption, particularly for Aldous as he confronts his personal demons and seeks to reconnect with his estranged family. Aaron's journey also parallels this, as he learns important life lessons and chooses to leave behind a toxic work environment, signifying personal growth and the pursuit of a healthier life.
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