“A ROCKY ROAD”
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galifianakis, Michelle Monaghan, Jamie Foxx, and Juliette Lewis
Directed by: Todd Phillips
MPAA Rating: R for language, drug use and sexual content.
Genre: Comedy, Road Movie
Running Time: 1hr 40min
Release Date: November 5, 2010
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures
By John Delia
Both Robert Downey, Jr. and Zach Galifianakis are equally funny in Due Date, a road trip film that has decent timing and nice character chemistry. The film tends to get sidetracked at one point, but otherwise it moves along at a fine clip. Although I found the film very reminiscent of a film with Steve Martin and John Candy romping across country to Chicago, today’s audiences my not of had a chance to see that film. If you like road movies, then hop into your rental car and drive to your nearest theatre.
The film centers on Peter Highman (Downey, Jr.) who has just finished his business in Atlanta and is on his way back to LA where his wife is about to give birth. When he gets to the airport he bumps into a stranger, Ethan (Galifianakis), and one of their carryons gets switched. After making a scene at the security check point over the wayward bag, Peter gets seated on the plane only to realize that Ethan is aboard. When the two create a scene, they both get bounced off the plane and placed on a No-Fly list.
Now stranded and without his wallet that went missing in the fracas, Peter finds himself hitching a ride with Ethan who promises to be a good travel friend. But, what happens in the next hour plus of the movie is a comical fight for survival and sanity.
I am a lover of road movies and one on my ‘best list’ is Planes, Trains and Automobiles starring Steve Martin and John Candy. The film is hilarious but does seem to be a lot like Due Date which pitts two mismatched guys on a destination that gets them detoured, broke and unstable. It’s hard to compare Downey with Martin as the two have similar brands of deadpan comedy. While Downey comes across more pungent than Martin here, the same silly result is obtained.
As for Candy verses Galifianakis I found them loveable, clueless and vulnerable in their respective roles. Galifianakis however gets the edge with his effeminate portrayal of the lost soul that just can’t come to grips with reality.
I found the marijuana scene with Juliette Lewis and their trip into Mexico a bit over the top and almost needless. The pot-smoking gag gets overused and looses its comedic flame early on in the film. As for the side trip to Mexico most of the sight gags are not impressive and the chase scene that ensued very mundane.
Due Date, however is one of those films that makes good in spite of being liked by audiences. The cast and director
Phillips (The Hangover, the original Road Trip) are presently in the limelight and there aren’t many buddy comedies at local movie theatres.  Women will probably sit calmly by while their male partners guffaw at the many inane scenes.
Due Date is rated R for language, drug use and sexual content.
FINAL ANALYSIS:Â College students will flip, for mainstream a flop. (2.5 of 5) (4 of 5 college)