Comedies can be very unpredictable at times. It can manipulate you into a corner where they make out as if it's a great movie. Only to find out it was really dumb. Other times they'll com you into assuming it's repugnant and morally reprehensible only to find out in the end it's subliminally complex. "Hall Pass" falls in the latter category. The story is about as simple as screwing on a light bulb. Two middle-aged husbands (Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis) are granted "hall passes" from their wives (Jenna Fischer and Christina Applegate) which mean they are permitted one week freedom from parenthood. The predictable hoopla comes into place including those annoying catcalls to attractive women; morally deplorable juvenile gags, disgusting jokes around the male anatomy; lots of tiresome boozing and alcoholic binges and the overdone finale where our protagonist begs for redemption and usually has to make compromises in which they gladly oblige.
But in a mysterious way, "Hall Pass" succeeds in offering something original behind the formulaic proceedings. Because not only do the guys get a week of parental liberty, so do their wives, which is a surprising turn of events that develops in this movie. Sure it's not a ground-breaking Oscar caliber movie, but it's still something that the Farrelly Brothers can be proud of as it's one of their best movie since "Wedding Crashers" which also starred Wilson and Vince Vaughn. It's not or ever will revolutionize the buddy film spectrum as the repetitive scenarios are all there. However, this film exceeds it's expectations from the comedy genre that most films of it's kind tends to fall flat.
For one thing, the casting was very top notch. Owen Wilson's comical chops is in top form, as he soars through every scene he's in and never falls flat. Jason Sudeikis has his share of moments, although his character was at times hit or miss due to poor script work from his character. The wives roles add inspiration towards their performances as comedic legends Jenna Fischer and Christina Applegate was a joy to watch and even as emotional traits that are often missing from female characters in comedy movies. Sure Applegate has played several roles like this before, but she shows here she can turn up the volume and show her dramatic side as well. What really sets this film is how it makes a serious undertaking of the trials and tribulations of being middle-aged. These characters aren't young punks placing their cajones in a hot dessert, no these people are career-oriented individuals, people who have matured physically and mentally, dads who have been through it all and who have seen it all. Sure it is not perfect, and the flaws are very obvious, but the moments delivered here will surely surprise you in which I will drink to that.
But in a mysterious way, "Hall Pass" succeeds in offering something original behind the formulaic proceedings. Because not only do the guys get a week of parental liberty, so do their wives, which is a surprising turn of events that develops in this movie. Sure it's not a ground-breaking Oscar caliber movie, but it's still something that the Farrelly Brothers can be proud of as it's one of their best movie since "Wedding Crashers" which also starred Wilson and Vince Vaughn. It's not or ever will revolutionize the buddy film spectrum as the repetitive scenarios are all there. However, this film exceeds it's expectations from the comedy genre that most films of it's kind tends to fall flat.
For one thing, the casting was very top notch. Owen Wilson's comical chops is in top form, as he soars through every scene he's in and never falls flat. Jason Sudeikis has his share of moments, although his character was at times hit or miss due to poor script work from his character. The wives roles add inspiration towards their performances as comedic legends Jenna Fischer and Christina Applegate was a joy to watch and even as emotional traits that are often missing from female characters in comedy movies. Sure Applegate has played several roles like this before, but she shows here she can turn up the volume and show her dramatic side as well. What really sets this film is how it makes a serious undertaking of the trials and tribulations of being middle-aged. These characters aren't young punks placing their cajones in a hot dessert, no these people are career-oriented individuals, people who have matured physically and mentally, dads who have been through it all and who have seen it all. Sure it is not perfect, and the flaws are very obvious, but the moments delivered here will surely surprise you in which I will drink to that.