| Bad Words | |
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&sq=&lang=&file=File:BadWords2014.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Jason Bateman |
| Written by | Andrew Dodge |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Ken Seng |
| Edited by | Tatiana S. Riegel |
| Music by | Rolfe Kent |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Focus Features |
Release dates |
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Running time | 89 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $10 million[1] |
| Box office | $7.8 million[2] |
Bad Words is a 2013 American black comedy film directed by Jason Bateman and written by Andrew Dodge. Marking Bateman's feature film directorial debut, the film stars Bateman as a middle-aged eighth grade dropout who enters the National Golden Quill Spelling Bee through a loophole. It also stars Kathryn Hahn, Rohan Chand, Ben Falcone, Philip Baker Hall, and Allison Janney.
Dodge's screenplay for Bad Words was featured on the 2011 Black List and was shortly thereafter picked up by Bateman. In the original script, the story was set at the Scripps National Spelling Bee, but the name was changed to a fictional bee since the filmmakers did not expect Scripps to allow the use of their name in the film. After two other actors declined to play the main character, Bateman decided to take on the role himself, and cast the other roles by a combination of contacting friends and open casting calls. Filming took place in Los Angeles at the end of 2012.
The film premiered at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2013, and had a limited release in the United States on March 14, 2014, expanding to a wide release on March 28. Produced for $10 million, it earned $7.8 million at the theatrical box office. It received mixed reviews from critics: some enjoyed the humor and direction, while others found the main character unlikeable and the humor offensive.