I was hopeful for the summer comedies and as we have hit July, my optimism turned to glass half empty. Luckily, I still had a glass! Horrible Bosses is easily the summer’s best comedy; dare I say the
year’s?! I dare!! It is an instant cult classic. I found myself wondering what the Blu-ray extras would be, before the film even ended, but I was fully involved in the hilarity. Seth Gordon may get the credit for being the director, but the writers Michael Markowitz, John Francis Daley, and Jonathan Goldstein deserve their share of the credit. I can only imagine the writers brainstorming late into the night, spit-balling any far-fetched idea and getting punchy, when they turn on TCM and see Hitchcock’s iconic, Strangers on a Train. Then they turn that premise into a totally twisted comedy. I don’t want to give more than that away.
Let’s not forget the actors! They are keys to making this movie unforgettable. When I hear, “Kevin Spacey” I’m in! When I hear, “Jason Bateman” I’m there! Jamie Foxx, Colin Farrell, Donald Sutherland, oh my! And even Jennifer Aniston in an against type role. It’s the lethal combination of these fantastic actors that really make this movie and give it pathos. The twists and turns of the storyline are genius, but could have easily gotten too silly and stupid, with the wrong cast or director. It’s all too good to give any detail away. Finally, a movie that we don’t see everything in the trailers.
I have to make a special note about Jennifer Aniston. I have always been a fan, but I can admit that she is usually the same. This movie makes the departure. I have to confess, when I first heard about this movie I was excited for the cast alone. Then, I heard Jennifer was in it and my first thought was that she was going to be some wife or girlfriend in an inconsequential part. Boy was I ever wrong! That is all I will say! Whether you are a fan of hers or not and you love smartly written, raunchy comedies, you’ll love this movie! Wait, smartly written and raunchy comedy those words are hardly ever put together!? Be warned this is not for the faint of heart. It’s lewd, it’s racy, it’s HI-LARIOUS! This is what every dark comedy (eh-hem, Hangover) strives to be, but there are very few that meet this standard!
The bar has been set…bring it on Summer 2011!
FINAL GRADE: Comedy - A+, Smart Comedy - A+, Physical Comedy - A+. Overall Comedy - A+
TRR Movie Revue by Denise A.
