The D Train - B-

Rated R, 97 minutes
Wes's Grade: B-

"The D Train" a well-acted, compelling dramedy about hanging with the cool kids

High school reunions have never been my thing, and on the surface the well-acted, spry dramedy "The D Train" seems to be all about that, though it also speaks to much more, about growing up, honesty and the complexities of friendships. All his life, Dan Landsman (Jack Black) has never been the cool guy. That's about to change - if he can convince Oliver Lawless (James Marsden), the most popular guy from his high school who's now a modestly successful actor, to show up with him to their class reunion. A man on a mission, Dan travels to LA and spins a web of lies to recruit Lawless but he gets more than he bargains for as the unpredictable Lawless takes over his home, career, and entire life. Directed and written by Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel in their feature film debut, "The D Train" is an affecting though flawed dramedy with a few unexpected twists along the way (such as a bisexual subplot), eventually becoming a much different film than you might think, which might be a slightly darker, revisionist version of a John Hughes high school film. "The D Train" is most highlighted by the remarkably warm chemistry from the leads and their strong performances, especially from Marsden, in a subdued role that's different from his usual pretty-boy roles. Paul and Mogel are serviceable directors, though an unfocused, awkward second act does hurt the film somewhat, and works best when it explores our tendency as adults to still want to try to hang with the cool kids (and doing literally anything to be cool), with some amusing individual moments, such as when Marsden's Oliver has the whole sex talk with Dan's awkward teenage son, or they strike a fake business deal with Dan's clueless boss (the always fun Jeffrey Tambor). "The D Train" is satisfying and compelling in its own imperfect way, and isn't as cool as you'd like it to be, but then maybe that is the point. Worth it for the strong performances from Marsden and Black.