The second movie of my birthday movie double bill was Horrible Bosses. This was mostly due to the lack of anything else being out. Some of my friends are not into Harry Potter (shocking I know) and most have already seen Transformers 3. So aside from Cars 2, which I'd already seen earlier in the day, that left Horrible Bosses.
As well as having a horrible title, Horrible Bosses also has, as you might have guessed, three horrible bosses, one for each of the main characters. Nick (Jason Bateman) has to put up with Dave (Kevin Spacey) and his constant attempts to make Nick look bad. Dave basically undermines Nick at every available opportunity, as well as robbing him of a promotion he's been working tirelessly for. Dale (Charlie Day) has a female boss, Julia (Jennifer Aniston), who is sexually harassing him. And finally Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) has a boss he loves, Jack (Donald Sutherland), who dies and leaves his coke addicted son Bobby (Colin Farrell) in charge. They seek advice on how to pull off the perfect murders of their bosses. But will everything go to plan?
I think it was a massive coup that this film managed to get Kevin Spacey on board, it gives the movie some much needed credibility and is especially impressive given that Mr Spacey tends to be more of a behind the scenes and theatre man at the moment. The downside to having Kevin Spacey is that he seems to have only agreed to make the movie because it allowed him to re-play his character from Swimming With Sharks. Which is a great movie by the way, if you haven't seen it. But not so good for Horrible Bosses.
The other not-so-good thing about Horrible Bosses is the timing of it's release. I can't help but think that it has been released at a horrible time. It's summer, where if you're not a blockbuster, you're only options are to be an interesting indie pic/film based on true events or a comedy that happens to be a huge sleeper hit. Well with names like Spacey, Farrell and Aniston, you're not an indie. And let's face it, Bridesmaids has been the comedy hit of the summer and I don't think this is going to knock the tiara off it's head.
So I feel bad, because Horrible Bosses is not that bad a film (especially given that it's a Jennifer Aniston movie). If it was released at any other time I feel it would have a decent chance as it's quite funny, it's got good actors in it and it's got a nice not-too-complicated plot. But this isn't any other time, so Horrible Bosses is probably going to get a horrible opening weekend. Plus it's gone up against Pixar, Harry Potter and Transformers. Massive fail.
However, if you've not got kids or have seen the other three then give Horrible Bosses a go. It won't dazzle you but it might give you the occasional giggle. 6.5 out of 10.
Viewing Date - 26th July 2011
UK Release Date - 22nd July 2011
Cast Overview:
Jason Bateman ~ Nick Hendricks
Jason Sudeikis ~ Kurt Buckman
Charlie Day ~ Dale Arbus
Kevin Spacey ~ Dave Harken
Jennifer Aniston ~ Dr Julia Harris D.D.S.
Colin Farrell ~ Bobby Pelitt
Donald Sutherland ~ Jack Pelitt
Jamie Foxx ~ Dean 'MF' Jones
Lindsay Sloane ~ Stacy
Director ~ Seth Gordon
Writer(s) ~ Michael Markowitz (Screenplay and Story), John Francis Daley (Screenplay) and Jonathan Goldstein (Screenplay)
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