WITH this comedy of bad manners, Seth MacFarlane graduates from TV to big screen features. As well as writing and directing, he also plays the stuffed toy bear that, for three decades, has been the close companion of John (Mark Wahlberg).

The origin of Ted’s humanoid capabilities in a way defines the film, which would not exist without that fantasy moment. John has shaped his life around Ted’s needs. And John’s lady-love Lori (Mila Kunis) wants to supplant him.

“Ted” depends on two elements – essential stupidity, but in a somewhat charming way, and totally unrestrained coarse crudeness. This combination delivers a film that on its opening day pulled a moderately large audience that laughed a lot. Especially when Ted got among groups of bosomy young women ready to embrace him intimately despite his lack of a penis.

For dramatic diversion, MacFarlane introduces Donny (Giovanni Ribisi), a doting father ready to go to whatever length may be necessary to acquire Ted for his overweight teenage son Robert (Aedin Mincks). Much of the rest of the film is about Lori’s lecherous boss’s campaign to bed her.

Ho Hum. Interspersed with varying intensities of laughter, sometimes deserved.

At Dendy, Hoyts and Limelight