I think it’s safe to say, most people have had a boss they didn’t get along with at some point in their life. Maybe we fantasized about getting rid of them. Horrible Bosses takes it several steps further and gives you the story of three friends, Nick, Kurt and Dale, who have bosses that are making their lives a living hell. Soon they begin to fantasize about getting rid of them, and through a series of silly events, decide to kill each other’s boss.
Seth Gordon directs his first feature since Four Christmases (which may have made some money, but ultimately failed) and delivers a solid Hollywood comedy. The success may lie in the improvisational nature of the scenes. Each of the actors bring their own comedy and they play off each other nicely.
Let’s break down the employee/employer pairs. First up, pushover analyst Nick Hendricks played by Jason Bateman (The Switch, The Change Up) and tyrant Dave Harken, played by Kevin Spacey (Casino Jack, American Beauty). Jason Bateman has become a bit to familar with this character, but he does play it well. Kevin Spacey can do anything and he really sunk his teeth into to ultimate tyrannical boss who reams Nick for being 2 minutes late.
Jason Sudeikis (Hall Pass, SNL) as Kurt Buckman, the happy-go-lucky account manager clashes with his new boss, douche-of-all-douches, Bobby Pellitt, played with flare by Colin Farrell (In Bruges, upcoming Fright Night). As a regular on SNL, Jason Sukeidis has been taking roles in films for some time now and last had a lead in Hall Pass with Owen Wilson. First off, his hair is awesome. He needs to make this his signature. Second, he’s got great timing and it would be interesting to see him in a dramatic role. I will say, as other reviewers have, that Colin Farrell definitely steals every scene. He’s ridiculous, offensive, smarmy and awesome. This performance is not unlike the one Tom Cruise gave in Tropic Thunder. Truly good stuff.
Last, but not least is the dental assistant Dale Arken played by Charlie Day (Going the Distance, FX network’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and his boss, Julie, played unabashedly by Jennifer Aniston. I have never got around to watching It’s Never Sunny in Philadelphia, but it has quite the following. Dale Arken at one point accidently snorts coke (you’ll see) and it really gives him an excuse to go completely nuts. It felt like he was high the entire rest of the movie. Jennifer Aniston held nothing back with her performance as his sexually-harrassing boss. One thing though, I never quite understood Julie. The others, I totally bought, but there was something missing with her character.
I say, if you’re looking for a fun comedy this weekend and you’ve seen everything else, go see this. As you watch, you know everything is a little over-the-top and situations are exaggerated to get the laughs. What makes it work is that you do get the laugh. Several in fact. So, go. Have fun. After all, it’s all entertainment.
Rating: Silly, fun and outrageous. The perfect summer comedy 7/10
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