Hall Pass Review: Pass On It
The Farrelly brothers are back with their latest comedy Hall Pass which stars Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Jenna Fischer, Christina Applegate, and Stephen Merchant. From the trailers, you’ll probably assume that it’s a movie similar to The Hangover, and you will be right to a certain extend. The film has it’s moments where you’ll snicker, but as the film progresses not only does the humor slip away but so does the grasp on reality. Someone got a little carried away when writing the screenplay…
Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis play characters who have been married for a long time – and their relationships have fallen into the traditional woes of restlessness. In an attempt to make the guys realize that singledom isn’t what they’re making it out to be – their wifes (played by Jenna Fischer and Christina Applegate) give the guys a hall pass. One week off marriage so that they can get a reminder of reality. Naturally, the guys believe it’s a dream come true. It’s going to be a week full of hookups with beautiful women half their age…. However, it becomes clear to the viewer almost immediately these guys don’t have game, and they have no idea what they’re doing.
In theory, the plot sounds like it would be amusing. A guy movie clearly – but it seems like it should also have something comical for the female audience. But all it ends up being is a horny guy movie with failed attempts at unoriginal comedy. It’s all been done before, we’ve seen penises in an uncomfortable proximity to the main character’s face, we’ve seen the cheesy failed pickup lines, and we’ve seen the guy come to the conclusion that he has the best woman in the world. There’s nothing new. The movie where the guys get into trouble when the girls were away already came out, and it was much funnier and far more original than Hall Pass. Spend your money picking up The Hangover on DVD instead of going out for this one. It’s just not worth it.
Grade: C-
Review By: Emma Loggins
I have some friends that want to see this but I can’t help but think it would be a “gross out” type of movie with no real original humor. Also, is it just me or is it somewhat unbelievable that you would be restless in your marriage if your wife was Jenna Fischer or Christina Applegate?
haha yeah if you were married to Pam I don’t think this would be a problem. 🙂 It’s kind of interesting how they paint Jenna Fischer though – in her scenes in the beginning of the film with Owen she is pale and looks completely stressed out. After being away from Owen for 2 days so far at her parent’s lake house – she is more tan a person that has spent an entire summer outside surfing in Hawaii. I have to imagine that the change in look was intentional but it seemed over the top. Jenna will always be Pam to me, and she’ll always be awesome 🙂