'The Marc Pease Experience' review

Jason Schwartzman (Credit: Paramount)

Eight years after running off stage in tears during a high school production of “The Wiz,” Marc Pease (Jason Schwartzman) is still haunted by that day, and his former music teacher Mr. Gribble (Ben Stiller) uses Marc as a cautionary tale. Also troubling Marc: his naively ambitious a cappella troupe and his teenage girlfriend Meg’s (Anna Kendrick) secret relationship with Gribble.

The buzz: Considering the quality of most recent, highly publicized Ben Stiller movies (the “Night at the Museum” franchise must be put to bed), it’s a little scary to think how awful the completely un-promoted “Marc Pease” could be.

The verdict: As pointless and obnoxious as someone pulling on your ears, the credibility-free “Marc Pease” features a desperate character painfully made out to be some kind of tragic hero. The film isn’t about delusions of grandeur or teacher/student relationships. Director/co-writer Todd Louiso just has no idea what is even supposed to be funny. If you can count to zero you know how many laughs this movie delivers.

Did you know? Marc insists on facing his baggage by performing a song from “The Wiz” during an a cappella show because “baggage is meant to be unpacked.” Think about it.