Cinema Review: Horrible Bosses (2011)

The latest shamelessly vulgar comedy to hit multiplexes opens by introducing its three longtime buddies at their respective workplaces. Nick (Jason Bateman) is a white-collar workaholic who has been slaving away for months in anticipation of receiving a coveted promotion from his dastardly corporate fuehrer (Kevin Spacey). Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) is a genial employee at a small chemical company whose fortune changes overnight when his boss suddenly (Donald Sutherland) dies, leaving him at the unfortunate mercy of his boss’ son, a coke-snorting, womanizing asshole (Colin Farrell) with a heinous comb-over. Finally, Dale (Charlie Day) is an engaged-to-be-married dental assistant who is constantly harassed by his sex-starved dentist boss (Jennifer Aniston) - which is ironic because he’s a registered sex offender for taking a post-carousing toilet break at an empty playground.

Unfortunately, that’s about as much character development as we are given from director Seth Gordon and a quartet of screenwriters, none of whom seem interested in dosing this adult comedy with even a trace of empathy or feeling. The trio of one-note, caricatured bosses fares worst of all, none more over-the-top than Spacey, who essentially reprises his role from 1994’s Swimming with Sharks, a sharper, darker workplace horror show. However, Gordon swaps characterisation for pure comedy and he pulls off the trade with aplomb.

Horrible Bosses is filthy, it has to be said. Even Jennifer Aniston, who isn’t accustomed to such a boisterous and overtly sexual character, utters some truly explicit desires she has in regards to Day’s Dale. Aniston proves she can depart from her typecast career role and tackle something a little more daring. Dentist Julia is a sexual predator and she aggressively preys upon Dale, which makes for great viewing. Aniston becomes extremely watchable (which is a charm lacking from her previous films) and the sexy dynamic to her character and nymphomaniac ways certainly had an effect on one FilmVerdict reviewer(!). Similarly, love-him-or-hate-him bad boy, Farrell, does a fine job as he epitomises the arrogant jerk and of course Spacey shines on his own, with unquestionable merit in the shallow yet hilarious part he is given.

Taking nothing away from the pleasure one gets during such comedies, it’s instantly forgettable in a genre so saturated, and it becomes hard to pick out the great from the good and the good from the average. It is a shame, because Horrible Bosses is, for the most part, a very funny and solid film. It just does not distinguish itself as anything special. The comedy has all the initial characteristics of an Apatow/Rogen effort like Pineapple Express, including an endearing central bromance, trouble with some white powder and oddball characters, and is paced in much the same way. The one area where Gordon has struck gold though is with his three leads, Bateman, Sudeikis and Day, who are a comic tour de force of understated, observational and more mature humour, and who keep the giggles coming in the more serious moments. Like Bridesmaids, this summer’s other hilarious grown-up romp, the final act creates an all too convenient climax to proceedings and the whole premise of three sane men all wanting to murder their bosses is a little far-fetched, but guffaws save the day and audiences always forget trivial plot flaws when they are entertained.



Summary
Though not exactly original, Horrible Bosses is pleasant popcorn fun, surprisingly raunchy and full of laugh-out-loud moments.