Horrible Bosses

The modern gross out comedy has lost its identity. It appears that hiring Jason Bateman alone is enough for you to get the green light. This must have been the case with ‘Horrible Bosses’, as it wasn’t the script. Bateman, Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis play three friends all being harassed by their bosses. They plot in a half-hearted way to kill each other’s bosses ‘Strangers on a Train’ style. This is the basic outline of the plot and it does not deviate much.

‘Horrible Bosses’ is less a film about narrative and more about comedic performances. Out of the 6 lead parts only Bateman is a straight man, the rest of the cast get something a little barmy to do. Day and Sudeikis have great chemistry together, as ‘Going the Distance’ already showed, add in Bateman and you have a trio of comedians who can patter all day. These three are the backbone of the movie, but it is Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Aniston and Colin Farrell who steal the limelight with their turns as horrible bosses. As much as I enjoyed their evil side, it is only Farrell who actually shows a side of his acting not seen before.

The issues with ‘Horrible Bosses’ are not down to the casting, but the paper thin plotting. None of the characters are really developed enough to you to sympathise with their plans to murder. When they do go about their nasty deeds the film seems to lose direction and flies off at random. The close knit comedic trio are split and the highlight of the film dissipates. ‘Horrible Bosses’ is by no means the worst adult comedy of recent years, but it is far from being the best (see something like ’21 Jump Street’ for a better example). It all feels like a bunch of comedic performers, directors and writers getting a pay cheque.

Like with many comedy films, BluRay is not really required to enjoy the film. The highlight of the extras is some of the glimpses of the three central comedians getting along and building the chemistry that works so well in the film.

Very funny. Colin Farrell with a comb-over plays a great part. Kevin Spacey is great as Mr Nasty and Jennifer Anniston - well, she did surprise me. I love to see the 'out-takes'. However, squeaky male voices really get on my nerves!

An average film - it had the buddy feel to it like 'The Hangover' but with a slightly more sinister approach. The horrible bosses were far to extreme to be believable - why does Hollywood take a good idea and then spoil it with over-cooked stereotypes? Certainly not worth buying it!

This was awful! 'Horrible Boses'? Should have been 'Awful Film'! It was weak entertainment, crude not rude in alot of places and I don't remember any amusing parts at all.

I really enjoyed this, it was interesting, had some funny moments, not laugh out loud funny but I would definitely watch it again sometime.