"Alan: I'd like to... I'd like to say something that I've prepared tonight. (takes out a crinkled paper, begins reading somewhat nervously) Hello. How about that ride in? I guess that's why they call it Sin City. (nervous laugh) You guys might not know this, but I consider myself a bit of a loner. I tend to think of myself as a one-man wolf pack. But when my sister brought Doug home, I knew he was one of my own. And my wolf pack- it grew by one, so where there two- there were two of us in the wolf pack. I was alone first in the wolf pack and Doug joined in later. And six months ago, when Doug introduced me to you guys, I thought 'Wait a second, could it be?' And now I know for sure- I just added two more guys to my wolf pack. The four of us wolves, running around the desert together in Las Vegas, looking for strippers and cocaine. So tonight, I make a toast! (pulls out switchblade, starts cutting his hand) Blood brothers!"
The Hangover is a relatively new movie that seems to resonate most loudly with the 18-24 year old focus group. It's one of those movies that are so ridiculous, you just have to laugh at some parts, even if you hate the silly-comedy genre.
I've found the movie to be easily quotable, but most often forget Alan's monologue. The most popular quote I hear when I mention The Hangover: "Paging Dr. Faggot!" But Alan's monologue is an important turning point in the movie: it's the last time that we see the four men together in Vegas, before they wake up the next morning to find their villa trashed, a baby in the closet and a tiger in the bathroom.
Alan is easily the largest source of comic relief; he's an outsider that doesn't fit in perfectly with the bad-ass attitude of Bradley Cooper and the nerdy, submissive qualities of Ed Helms. He is invited to go along not as a friend, but as a brother-in-law, almost an afterthought or obligation.
But he tries to break into the circle of friendship he has been placed up against. We can laugh all we want at his awkward speech, but I think there's something there we can relate to. All of us have these moments trying to break into a group, whether it be a sports team, fraternity or sorority, larger group of friends or even a clique of some type. The moment where you try to convey, in the most sincere and least awkward way possible, your desire to be accepted into the crowd. It's surprising that Alan pulls out a knife, expecting the men to cut themselves and mix their blood together, but it's all for comedy.
We've all pulled out that knife in some form; extreme measures aren't often necessary to join groups, though there are plenty of exceptions. I've found that I've pulled out the knife and declared my love for groups all too often in my life: I've invested myself too soon, much like Alan has.
I did this often in high school, usually every year with a new group of friends. I had my two best friends that always stuck by me, but each year I found new friends that would float in and out of my life. Each time, I was certain that my group was finally the group I had been waiting for. It never was the case.
Like Alan, I wanted a "wolf pack," a concrete group of friends I could go to for support, that I could have sleepovers with, and eventually nights out on the town in Vegas. I think we all do. We all want to be accepted as part of a larger group. We all want to find the people that will eventually stand up in our weddings and will take retirement vacations with us. The acceptance factor never dies, no matter how old you are. It's innately human.
It's a nerve-wracking thing to try and break into a group like Alan does. He is so nervous that he spikes their drinks with roofies (the date rape drug), causing them all to do things they normally wouldn't have, and to have massive hangovers in the morning. We wouldn't have the movie without Alan, and eventually his mistake leads to his acceptance into the group.
Perhaps this is the Hollywood moment. Usually, a mistake doesn't help acceptance. I can remember many times where I tried being myself, did something silly and wasn't invited back. Friendships and social groups are tough things, but when you find the right one, it's a rewarding experience.
I'd like to think that I've found a good group of friends (finally!) in college. However, we aren't without our faults as a group. But, for the first time, I feel as though my friends somewhat replace whatever emotional support I get from my immediate family, making it feel as though we're "blood sisters."
Nothing could ever replace my real sister. No way. But, I have become so close to these women that I feel as though we function a lot like a family. What makes me feel similar to Alan is the fact that I joined this established group anew, and found myself trying to find a place to fit in. It was difficult, but with persistence and time, I meshed myself in quite well. So it can be done in real life. I promise.
So I make a toast to all of those people in our lives that we feel close to, our "blood brothers and sisters," whoever they may be. We may not be in Vegas looking for strippers and cocaine, but we're having some unforgettable moments that will hopefully last a lifetime.
Note: Photo from videogum.com, monologue from www.whysanity.net/monos.
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