A comedy is not so ‘Grand’

Christopher Guest spoiled us silly with improv mockumentaries like 1996’s “Waiting for Guffman” and 2003’s “A Mighty Wind.” Turns out the genre isn’t as easy to nail as he makes it appear.

Take director Zak Penn’s “The Grand.” This improv comedy gathers a mocku-worthy cast, headlined by a terrific Woody Harrelson, but the gags aren’t as inspired as the deeply flawed characters on display.

The film follows a ragtag group of poker aces competing for a $10 million grand prize. Mr. Harrelson’s Jack Faro owns the Rabbit’s Foot Casino, but he won’t for much longer if he can’t pay off a debt from a bad business deal with a real estate mogul (Michael McKean, knee deep in his element).

Here, Mr. Harrelson finds the perfect pitch to play his rehab-loving character, a fresh reminder why the actor remains the finest “Cheers” graduate.

A suburban housewife (Cheryl Hines) and her surly brother (David Cross) could make the poker championship a family affair if they survive a visit from their father (welcome back, Gabe Kaplan).

The other competitors include a socially stunted nerd (Chris Parnell) who still lives with his mother (Estelle Harris); a neophyte gambler (Richard Kind) who dabbles in online poker; the Deuce (Dennis Farina), a poker champ with a keen sense of Vegas history; and the German (Werner Herzog) who kills bunnies for an energy boost.

In Mr. Guest’s comedies, even the smallest roles provide big laughs. In “Grand,” though, only Mr. McKean’s Trump-inspired mogul manages to do so. His plan to build a hotel comprised of one massive room for the uber-rich to rent is truly inspired.

But Mr. Kaplan radiates menace, not humor, in his brief screen time, and a cameo by director Brett Ratner is an inside joke that should have been saved for the inevitable DVD extras.

Too many elements in “The Grand” feel like mere improv lessons. Ray Romano, for example, who plays Miss Hines’ husband, obsesses over his fantasy football draft, but that story line doesn’t generate much humor or interest.

Mr. Penn unwisely leaves in a few seconds when the actors’ blank expressions reveal their minds working on the next comic inspiration. It’s like seeing a dove’s wing protrude out a magician’s sleeve seconds before he pulls the bird out of his top hat.

“The Grand” does offer some smart packaging around the improv bits, like a video tally of Jack’s many ex-wives, and both Mr. Cross and Mr. Parnell wring laughs from their twisted characters.

The final poker match might grip hard-core gamblers, but the rest of us will be bored. There’s a reason the nation quickly got tired of televised poker play.

**1/2

TITLE: “The Grand”

RATING: R (Adult language)

CREDITS: Directed by Zak Penn. Produced by Mr. Penn and Gary Marcus.

RUNNING TIME: 104 minutes

WEB SITE: www.thegrandthemovie.com

MAXIMUM RATING: FOUR STARS