Horrible Bosses (B or 3/4 stars)
'Horrible Bosses' (directed by Seth Gordon) focuses on 3 everyday workers: Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis), & Dale (Charlie Day). Nick's tyrant of a boss, David Harken (Kevin Spacey), uses the possibility of a promotion to make Nick work long hours; when all the while, he was just yanking Nick's chain (to get good work out of him). David even blackmails Nick so that he won't quit. Kurt has a dream job until his beloved father-like boss (Donald Sutherland) dies & his coked-out psychopath son, Bobby (Colin Farrell), takes over. In this economy, Kurt knows that he just can't quit. Meanwhile, dental assistant Dale must deal with his man eater boss, Dr. Julia Harris (Jennfer Aniston ... as you've never seen her before) - who is more interested in his body than his incisors.
The problem here is that Dale is happily engaged & doesn't like being sexually harrassed (no matter how hot his boss is, and she IS). Furthermore, Dale is (wrongly) on a child offenders list, & no other job would hire him. He can't quit. In due time, the 3 guys - all of whom are friends - come to one conclusion: 'we gotta kill our bosses'. But these guys are Nervous Nellie's by nature, and so, venture to a bad part of town to hire hit man, Motherfuc*er Jones (Jamie Foxx) to do the job for them. Problem is, MF Jones has reasons for not doing the job himself, & asks for $5,000 to be their 'murder consultant'. They'd have to do the job themselves. Hilarity & chaos ensues as these employees' convoluted, & seemingly foolproof plans go awry - leading to THEIR possible deaths.
'Horrible Bosses' has a decent screenplay (more silly & uproarious than clever or witty). But this film thrives on the charismatic, hysterical performances from the 3 main actors, & the 4 secondary ones (including Jamie Foxx). And I have no problem saying that the main threesome in this film trumps the threesome from the Hangover franchise. Bateman, Sudeikis, & Day are extremely funny guys (and sympathetic as the underappreciated workers), so their brand of talking-over-each-other dialogue fits well with the scripted humor. Speaking of the humor, the premise of the film (an outrageous revenge comedy) goes a long way in making this film successful, too. Various sketch pieces and/or one-liners didn't always work. But the premise & performances make the film work, big time.
Jason Bateman is awesome as the primary idiotic pal. He gets SO in over his head that just merely watching his facial reactions & hushed commentary on what's going on (or going wrong) is a hoot. Jason Sudeikis brings his SNL sensibilities to his role; and it works. His oversexed moments (inside David Harken's house) is fun to watch. And Charlie Day (from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) provides a star-making turn in the 'Zack Galifianakis' role of this threesome. I loved him! Whether he's coked-up and busting out to 'That's Not My Name' in a state of frenzy while supposed to be on the lookout, or going-off on his boss near the end of the movie ... I was in stitches. Day has a physicality & a voice that is tailor-made for a loosely-structured comedy such as this film.
Kevin Spacey has a blast as the sadistic, jealous, shark of a boss. His line deliveries are perfect. Colin Farrell, looking like a complete slob (gut, fake balding) is fantastic as the ultimate douchebag. I wanted more of him in the story. Jennifer Aniston has always been the queen of bland, passable romantic comedy entertainment. But here? Well, you've never seen her like this; as a cold, aloof, sex maniac. Wanna see her near-topless? Check out this movie. Wanna hear her moan about her "pussy"? Check out this movie. You'll be shocked, and it's an adjustment, but anytime she's onscreen, you'll be both bug-eyed at her sexuality & drop-jawed at her frank profanity. Jamie Foxx also delights as the quirky low-rent hit man with a lisp, and fetish for straws.
So yeah, 'Horrible Bosses' is a hit & miss revenge tale that hits more than it misses. It's vulgar, raunchy, but good-spirited (the difference btwn. most vulgar comedies that leave me cold). And there are a handful of hilarious moments (far too many to recall ... you gotta see it for yourself). The ending kind of comes out of nowhere (a weakness). But overall, I enjoyed myself. Horrible Bosses, Bridesmaids ... I'm loving the comedies this Summer.
The problem here is that Dale is happily engaged & doesn't like being sexually harrassed (no matter how hot his boss is, and she IS). Furthermore, Dale is (wrongly) on a child offenders list, & no other job would hire him. He can't quit. In due time, the 3 guys - all of whom are friends - come to one conclusion: 'we gotta kill our bosses'. But these guys are Nervous Nellie's by nature, and so, venture to a bad part of town to hire hit man, Motherfuc*er Jones (Jamie Foxx) to do the job for them. Problem is, MF Jones has reasons for not doing the job himself, & asks for $5,000 to be their 'murder consultant'. They'd have to do the job themselves. Hilarity & chaos ensues as these employees' convoluted, & seemingly foolproof plans go awry - leading to THEIR possible deaths.
'Horrible Bosses' has a decent screenplay (more silly & uproarious than clever or witty). But this film thrives on the charismatic, hysterical performances from the 3 main actors, & the 4 secondary ones (including Jamie Foxx). And I have no problem saying that the main threesome in this film trumps the threesome from the Hangover franchise. Bateman, Sudeikis, & Day are extremely funny guys (and sympathetic as the underappreciated workers), so their brand of talking-over-each-other dialogue fits well with the scripted humor. Speaking of the humor, the premise of the film (an outrageous revenge comedy) goes a long way in making this film successful, too. Various sketch pieces and/or one-liners didn't always work. But the premise & performances make the film work, big time.
Jason Bateman is awesome as the primary idiotic pal. He gets SO in over his head that just merely watching his facial reactions & hushed commentary on what's going on (or going wrong) is a hoot. Jason Sudeikis brings his SNL sensibilities to his role; and it works. His oversexed moments (inside David Harken's house) is fun to watch. And Charlie Day (from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) provides a star-making turn in the 'Zack Galifianakis' role of this threesome. I loved him! Whether he's coked-up and busting out to 'That's Not My Name' in a state of frenzy while supposed to be on the lookout, or going-off on his boss near the end of the movie ... I was in stitches. Day has a physicality & a voice that is tailor-made for a loosely-structured comedy such as this film.
Kevin Spacey has a blast as the sadistic, jealous, shark of a boss. His line deliveries are perfect. Colin Farrell, looking like a complete slob (gut, fake balding) is fantastic as the ultimate douchebag. I wanted more of him in the story. Jennifer Aniston has always been the queen of bland, passable romantic comedy entertainment. But here? Well, you've never seen her like this; as a cold, aloof, sex maniac. Wanna see her near-topless? Check out this movie. Wanna hear her moan about her "pussy"? Check out this movie. You'll be shocked, and it's an adjustment, but anytime she's onscreen, you'll be both bug-eyed at her sexuality & drop-jawed at her frank profanity. Jamie Foxx also delights as the quirky low-rent hit man with a lisp, and fetish for straws.
So yeah, 'Horrible Bosses' is a hit & miss revenge tale that hits more than it misses. It's vulgar, raunchy, but good-spirited (the difference btwn. most vulgar comedies that leave me cold). And there are a handful of hilarious moments (far too many to recall ... you gotta see it for yourself). The ending kind of comes out of nowhere (a weakness). But overall, I enjoyed myself. Horrible Bosses, Bridesmaids ... I'm loving the comedies this Summer.