HORRIBLE BOSSES, Crude Rude and Unglued
Reviewed by John Delia and Marisa Ings
Cast: Jason Bateman, Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis, with Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell, Kevin Spacey, Donald Sutherland, Julie Bowen and Jamie Foxx.
Directed by: Seth Gordon
MPAA Rating: R for crude and sexual content, pervasive language and some drug material
Genre: Comedy
Running Time: 1hr 38min
Opening Date: July 8th, 2011
Distributed by: New Line Cinema
Most everyone would like to be the boss, but in most instances there’s only one. I hope my readers don’t have a boss as despicable as the ones in Horrible Bosses a very funny comedy directed by Seth Gordon. Filled with a lot of hilarious situations, this film is perfect for mature adults. If you are not offended by sexuality and a lot crude language then run to see Horrible Bosses.
The film centers on three friends Nick (Jason Bateman), Dale (Charlie Day) and Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) who have run into a stone barrier at their jobs. Nick works for a twisted supervisor (Kevin Spacey) who has dangled a Senior Vice President carrot in front of him only to absorb the job for himself. Master accountant Kurt (Jason Sudeikis), loved by Mr. Pellit owner of the company he works for, has been groomed to take over when he retires, but his drug-addicted son (Colin Farrell) has other plans. Finally, Dale a dental assistant to Dr. Julia Harris (Jennifer Aniston) works in an environment of sexually harassment by his x-rated boss who makes her workday a play day.Â
The bosses are really sinister when it comes to management and the three friends plot to do something about it. When a very bad idea goes horribly wrong the boys find themselves in dire straits.
John says: The three buddy characters’ actors deliver some very hysterical comedy and in most cases are well suited to their roles. Bateman does a great job of making Nick the most intelligent of the group who keeps things in perspective when the three band together to take out revenge. Day puts on his best comedy face for the very goofy role of Dale an engaged man who goes to work everyday trying to fend off Dr. Julia’s onslaught for sex. And yes lets not forget Sudeikis who has to deal with a freaky Bobby Pellit and does so in a screwy kind of way providing some dark comedy of his own.
Marisa says: Oversexed Julia (Aniston) is a bit over-the-top and I found the situation somewhat unbelievable that a guy wouldn’t take advantage if they were in Dale’s position. Day contributed a lot of the foolery and is AWESOME as Dale. Dave Harken (Spacey) and Dr. Julia Harris, D.D.S. (Aniston) take the cake for worst-male/ worst-female bosses. Another good ‘girl gone bad’ (ref Bad Teacher), Aniston wisely jumps out of her comfort zone here and does a great job portraying the delusional sex crazed Julia. This all-star cast was shrewdly selected.
John says: Director Seth Gordon (Freakononics) does a pretty good job of keeping the laughs rolling and the situations ridiculous. His ability to tie the talent together boss to employee and a realistic trio of friends is truly admirable. I like the pace, situations and resolve in Horrible Bosses making the film an above average comedy in my book.
Marisa says: I agree with John. The casting and execution of Horrible Bosses is just right. Combine a murder conspiracy, comedy, and good actors with friendship chemistry and entertainment’s inevitable.Â
John says: The film isn’t perfect however and there are some situations that ‘shovel the corn’. I found the ‘three stooges’ slapping childish, Aniston’s hypersexual lust way over the top, Ferrell’s Bobby Pellit frightfully chilling and Spacey extremely overbearing, but I guess in Seth Gordon’s mind that’s what makes this film fun. Now I’m just saying, but if I had a nymphomaniac boss like Jennifer Aniston…well you fill in the blanks.
Marisa says: As a woman I proudly get the last word. I enjoyed the film. Although the bosses’ behavior comes across as horrible I don’t think the characters are awful enough to be offd by the disgruntled employees. Happily the right-on humor takes the weight off the dark theme of the film. Horrible Bosses is a good mix between Office Space and The Hangover.
Horrible Bosses is rated R for crude and sexual content, pervasive language and some drug material. The language is very raw and the sexual oriented gestures and innuendos extremely vulgar for anyone under the age of 17.
John says: FINAL ANALYSIS: Bosses tries for a Hangover, but gets kicked to the side of the road. (C+)
Marisa says: I hope I, or any of you, ever have to work for a callus, crazy or coked-out boss like the poor fellas in this film (B-)
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