Hall Pass (R) 105 minutes C+
I Want You to Want Me
Starring Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Jenna Fischer, Christina Applegate, Nicky Whelan, Richard Jenkins
Yes. Hall Pass is a dimwit comedy that is predictable, bordering on offensive and immature. But it's not without truth, sporadic humor and the underlying sentiment of wanting to feel desirable. Sure, it's all potty mouth, gross out jokes and juvenile humor but at the core is something legitimate. Yet unfortunately (or fortunately?) the film is too goofy to explore such game changers.
Hall Pass is directed by the Farrelly Brothers of Something About Mary and Dumb and Dumber fame. However, I also liked Fever Pitch, Me, Myself and Irene, and the heavily panned Heartbreak Kid (all Farrelly Brother films). Therefore I was bound to like this stinker at least a little bit.
Two suburban dads get the proverbial hall pass from marriage and after a little reluctance they attempt to make the most of their week of freedom with near disastrous results. Meanwhile, the wives enjoy a little pass of their own...
The film is uneven and laugh out loud moments are few and far between. For whatever reason Jason Sudeikis (SNL) never seems comfortable here and I'm not sure how I feel about the Farrelly's casting Richard Jenkins as the ultimate swinging single (Jenkins is a premiere actor but an odd choice). Nevertheless, I have to admit I sort of enjoyed the film.
If you like the Farrelly Brother and you're a fan of Owen Wilson I say see it! For everyone else, I say wait until it to arrives at your local discount/second run theatre.
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Bonus DVD Review
The Answer Man (R) 95 minutes C-
I Can't Be Your Answer Man
DVD Release Date: Novemember 2009
Starring Jeff Daniels, Lauren Graham, Lou Taylor Pucci, Kat Dennings, Olivia Thirlby, Max Antisell, Nora Dunn
In 1988 Arlen Faber (Daniels) released a popular self help book called Me and God. It became a massive best seller and international sensation. Now with the 20th anniversary edition about to be released Faber is nothing more than a cranky, reclusive and miserable human being. Struggling with insufferable back pain he meets a good looking chiropractor (Lauren Graham) and proceeds to fall for her if he can only keep his OCD at bay.
I applaud this film for not taking the easy way out and wrapping everything in a neat and tidy bow which it had the opportunity to do several times. But overall it isn't very good despite Jeff Daniels winning me over in the end.
This might be worth renting if you're a big fan of any of the cast listed above. Otherwise skip it.
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