Hall Pass (2011)

I didn't really like going to the cinema before the age of 10. I think it made me feel agrophobic or something but I distinctively remember that Dumb and Dumber being the first film I really needed to see just that picture of Harry and Lloyd having their hair cut (which I don't think was in the film). It was the reason I first bought Empire magazine just get whatever snippets of info about the film and Jim Carrey. I remember seeing it on Easter weekend when I was ten in the Odeon on Queen Street in Cardiff. And it was my favorite film for a long time.  And then when There's Something About Mary came out when I was 14, that my favorite movie. The Farrelly's had done it again.
I guess my point is that despite falling off thru the last decade, maybe out of nostalgia, They were important in forming what I love about comedy and movies that I'm really want the Farrellys to deliver these funny comedies cause I know how good they can be.
Guess what?
Somehow they've managed to do another one and it feels so good!
There was a point half way through where I was literally crying in laughter.
I'm not saying it's the best comedy of the year or close to the Farrellys 1st films but it's a lot of fun to watch.
I think to be fair, making a broad comedy about marital infidelity would be like walking a tightrope in terms of keeping the tone light. You don't want these guys to cheat on their wives of visa-versa; not that I'm suggesting that we think they will- Hall Pass is as predictable as you'd expect not that that's a diss and I don't think you'd get away with it if you didn't love these soldiers played by Owen Wilson and Jason Sudekis. I love Sudekis on this.  He's amazing on Another though I feel he gets too much attention on there but that's a good problem.  In this his brand of misplaced confidence is just delightful. You just know he's gonna have a great comedy career. We know I already love Owen Wilson and it's a bit jarring to see him look so dowdy or at least as dowdy as Owen Wilson could look. He's good here but he's like the straight man for Sudekis; in fact I think his character is the straightest main character in Farrelly Bros. movie. Even Ben Stiller characters in their movies have wierd or dark querks and Owen Wilson always has these facets to his character in all his movies... so yeah it's weird.
As you might hope, Stephen Merchant is great for the short time he's in it. As is JB Smoove. I think it's a litmus test for liking this movie if you find the idea of them being brothers-in-law funny. It's only mentioned in passing and they don't elaborate on it but the imaginary backstory just cracks me up. It's like they met Stephen at a dinner party and asked him to do 2days on the film and he just ad-lib'ed his own stuff and costume. I'm into it though.
The only thing that lets Hall Pass down is the wife parts. I don't know why but they've insisted on making it about these guys wives as well but when we go to them it drags the hell outta the movie. It's a nice idea but no expects the Farrelly Bros, of all people to cover the middle age female experience.
But most importantly, Hall Pass exceeded my small expectations and the Farrellys haven't done that for too long.  It's nice to have them back...

Going The Distance (2010)

Going The Distance is a victim of its time and circumstance.
I would not hold it against you, if you said that this looked like a horrible prospect. We are in the midst of a sea of bawdy romcoms like Love and Other Drugs *spits*.  Films that feature dirty jokes and graphic sex almost with no emotional context.
This film's timing couldn't have been worse because I think it's alright but it's far and above any Katherine Heigl vehicle.
But maybe that's cos I like Drew Barrymore and Justin Long. I like them in their own movies, so them coming together to be a couple is a lovely thought to me.  The fact they had their own on-off relationship just must have made it easier from them.
Here the crux of the film is that this couple have trouble with their long distance relationship and can only see each other every 3months or so and how do you deal with that. Now like I say, I think these two leads are perfectly likable and have a real transparent affection for one another and I don't think this film would have left the runway, if they didn't. It's success or failure is squarely on their shoulders but they aquit themselves fine but more than that when the film delivers mushy lines like 'I love you' or 'I miss you so much I could cry',  you...  kinda buy it; you at least let it off since it's built up a bank of goodwill with you.
Another thing these movies trade on is dependable comedy actors for the background like Kristen Schaal, Jason Sudekis, Christina Applegate to name a few.  Now I don't mind this so much, I'm sure I've even watched a few film just based in the promise of these sort of appearances by great tv comedians but now I'm more annoyed that they should have their own movies. I'm secretly looking forward to seeing Sudekis in Hall Pass but we'll cross that bridge soon enough...
As much as I love swears and bad taste jokes, this film gets a bit salty at times and if I was being picky, it doesn't seems entirely necessary.
So I'm not saying that it's amazing or the best of anything but the romcom has always been the most dreary of genres generally; I won't say they're all bad and some are some of my favorite films but it's a pleasant bit of candy floss,  where no one kills a live squid and it reminds you 'gah, life's alright most of the time, yeah?'...


I watched Going The Distance (2010) on DVD, via LoveFilm.
My 2011 in Movies will return with Scum (1979) ...