About Tour De Pharmacy (HBO)

Stumbling into the world of competitive cycling as a hilarious mockumentary, Tour De Pharmacy (2017) is an HBO special feature. Set on the backdrop of 1982's Tour De France, this film comically details the event that was marred by rampant use of performance enhancing drugs among cyclists.

Plot and Summary

The film narrates a fictional cycling competition that ends up with only five participants due to a series of disqualifications related to doping charges. A plethora of ridiculous events unfolds as these five cyclists contest in the drug-running competition, each with their own absurd ways to outpace one another. In the most comical way, Tour De Pharmacy spotlights the unforgiving competitiveness of sports.

Making / Production

Produced by HBO, the film takes its humoristic inspiration from the real-life cycling world. It was directed by Jake Szymanski and written by Murray Miller. Aimed at entertaining the audience, the film offers an exaggerated tale swirled in satire of a real event.

Actors

• Andy Samberg as Marty Hass, playing a charismatic yet deeply flawed "anti-hero" cyclist with cheerful exuberance.
• Orlando Bloom as JuJu Peppi, hilariously showcases his comedic timing, playing the character of a simple-minded Italian cyclist.
• Freddie Highmore as Adrian Baton, performs impressively playing a man who enters the competition disguised as a woman.
• John Cena as Gustav Ditters, exhibiting his physical prowess and unexpected humor through his character of an overly muscular cyclist.
• Daveed Diggs as Slim Robinson, portraying an underprivileged cyclist whose character adds a touch of comedy and satire to a serious social issue.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film features real-life cyclists, tennis players and actors hitting on a topical issue while creating an entertaining parody.
• Despite being a mockumentary, Tour De Pharmacy is chock-full with unexpected celebrity cameos.
• This film was one of several collaborations between Andy Samberg and HBO, illustrative of the comedic synergy between the actor and the network.

Quotes

• "There's no such thing as cheating in sports." - Marty Hass.
• "I'm not an athlete, I'm a bike rider." - JuJu Peppi.
• "I just have a very specific body type. It's called 'Hulk-ish'." - Gustav Ditters.

Music and Soundtrack

• The film's soundtrack, curated by Stuart A. Staples, enhances its comedic tone and sets the mood effectively.
• The use of period-specific songs bolsters the film's 1980s setting.
• Soundtracks offered by various artists such as Talking Heads add to the comedic strength and enriched aesthetic of the movie.