Saving Silverman is a classic early-2000s comedy that I saw not too long after it was released in theaters. I’m pretty sure I caught it on TV, since I couldn’t rent movies very often back then. I was just officially a teenager.

The story follows three close friends: Wayne, Darren, and J.D. They’ve got a strong bond, and things start to get complicated when Darren, played by Jason Biggs, gets engaged to a woman named Judith Fessbeggler. While Judith is undeniably beautiful, she’s also extremely controlling, a real piece of work. I know Jason Biggs was cast due to his success in American Pie, but this was one of the first roles (if not the very first) that I remember seeing Jack Black in. His fame in 2001 was nothing like what it would become just a few years later.

Judith is played by Amanda Peet, who is married to David Benioff (co-creator of the TV show Game of Thrones). Just joking here, but wouldn’t it be funny if she were the reason that show fell apart in the end?

Anyway, Wayne and J.D. are seriously concerned about their friend marrying Judith. They fear it’ll mean the end of their friendship, so they go on a mission to stop the wedding and save Darren from what they see as a terrible mistake.

R. Lee Ermey plays Coach Norton, a hilariously dark character who adds a twisted kind of humor to the film. It cracks me up how casually okay he is with the idea of murdering Judith. I mean… who does that? Good thing this is a totally unrealistic comedy, because in real life it’d be straight-up horrifying.

I also remember Neil Diamond making an appearance as himself. At the time, I was 13 and couldn’t care less who Neil Diamond was… and honestly, I still don’t.

I never really understood why Wayne still wanted Judith after everything that happened, but her reaction to his proposal was actually pretty epic. Totally savage moment.

Saving Silverman isn’t the greatest comedy of its era, but it’s a solid movie. I’ve probably seen it at least three or four times when it popped up on TV. Funny how much the cast has changed since then.

RIP R. Lee Ermey, you were a scene-stealer in this one.