Review of Horrible Bosses (2011) by Doctor S — 11 Oct 2012

Very funny fast-paced black comedy about three friends who ultimately decide they - and the world at large -would be better off without each of their respective bosses. The performances are as familiar as the faces to TV fans from the 3 leads: Jason Bateman very similar to his earnest Michael Bluth from Arrested Development, Charlie Day indistinguishably manic from his Charlie on Always Sunny, and Jason Sudeikis the same nondescript yet casually sarcastic character from any number of SNL skits. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as each gets to play to their strengths, however the shrill Charlie certainly can wear on the nerves at times. What really boosts Horrible Bosses to stretches of gold is the best supporting cast in a comedy in recent years. In fact, they are all so good it's difficult to choose a favorite. Kevin Spacey perfectly embodies the "total fucking asshole" as Bateman's nemesis, and contrary to the stars Jennifer Aniston will NOT be confused as Rachel from Friends with her hypersexual dentist who harasses her assistant Day. There is undeniable perverse pleasure to be found hearing her talk dirty in this obscenity-leaden script. But my favorite comes between A) Collin Farrell in a hilarious turn in heavy makeup as a spoiled, coke-snorting, kung-fu posturing bastard who intends to ruin the company where Sudeikis works, and B) Jamie Foxx as a self-stylized assassination expert called Motherfucker Jones, who unbeknownst to the trio hiring him actually did his time in the state pen for bootlegging movies. Even Bob Newhart has a funny cameo!

The script overloads a little with blue language and some exchanges seem like attempts to emulate the ad lib banter of Curb Your Enthusiasm that fall flat (example: the "show her the 50 states" exchange), but overall I laughed quite a bit. Lots of pop culture references too, I enjoyed the discussion where MF Jones proposes the killing scheme of trading victims like Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train, which Charlie Day confuses with Throw Momma From the Train, which of course was directed by & starred his fellow Sunny colleague Danny DeVito. I would like to see this again to see how it holds up, my guess is that the quality of the supporting performances will keep it fun over repeat viewings.