Review of Observe and Report (2009) by Chosen 7 — 18 Jun 2010

The utter boldness of this film deserves to be applauded - however, it is precisely that boldness that proves to be its undoing. Observe and Report had the great misfortune of being released in the wake of the unexpected success of Paul Blart: Mall Cop, and perhaps it was advertised in a way that made it appear to be just another goofball mall cop comedy.

This did a great disservice to the film, both in terms of misrepresenting the content of the picture and in misleading audience expectations. Seth Rogen's character is more closely aligned with Travis Bickle (Taxi Driver) than Paul Blart, proving to be a dangerously unstable and delusional mess of a human being with essentially no redeeming qualities.

The world he inhabits seems similarly bereft of decency, as we are repeatedly bombarded with examples of cruelty and absurdity, both directed at and perpetrated by Rogen's character. The film is unreservedly profane, but without a larger purpose, serving merely to disturb rather than enlighten.

It is in this profanity and unconventional characterization that Observe and Report is quite unique - but perhaps it hasn't been done many times before because it simply does not make for an enjoyable movie.