Horrible Bosses (DVD)

Title: Horrible Bosses
Cert: 15
Tine: 97 mins
Dir: Seth Gordon
Starring: Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Foxx,
Kevin Spacey

In this comedy three friends decide to murder their bosses in the style of Strangers on a Train, each killing a boss other than there own in order to avoid detection. This is of course a terrible plan as they are lifelong friends and have far too many ties to each other for this to work. Needless to say, hilarity ensues – some slapstick, some dark, some gross-out and there are enough genuine laughs throughout and strong performances from an all-star cast to keep you interested.

Nick, played by Jason Bateman, is an Assistant Sales Manager. He is harassed, tormented, bullied and overworked by his sadistic boss Dave, played by Kevin Spacey. Nick is waiting for a promotion. But it’s a promotion that his boss doesn’t ever intend to give him. Reason enough for murder? Possibly.

Dale, played by Charlie Day, is a Dental Nurse (or should that be Murse?). He is sexually harassed and tormented by his nymphomaniac dentist boss, played by Jennifer Aniston. She wants to have sex with him (and anyone else that’s interested) but he is engaged and doesn’t appreciate her lewd and forceful (comedic) advances. Reason enough for murder? No don’t be silly! It’s Jennifer Anniston!

Kurt, played by Jason Sudeikis, works for an old lovable, eco-conscious guy at an industrial factory. He loves his job and thinks that his boss is a great guy. Of course that is until his boss suddenly dies and is replaced by his lazy, womanising, coke-snorting, scumbag, son, played by Colin Farrell, who doesn’t even attend his own father’s funeral. Reason enough for murder? Definitely.

Jamie Foxx plays the professional hitman who (upon realising that they can not actually perform the murders themselves) the guys hire to do the jobs.

Jokes vary widely from perfectly funny, yet dark, gags too less acceptable jokes about one of the characters being on a sex offenders' list all the way to completely unacceptable jokes about which character would most likely be raped in jail. Why do the American’s think that joking about rape is funny? What could possibly be funny about it? I come across this sort of thing in films several times a year and it’s always riles me. What is funny about male or female rape? It’s simply not funny.

Anyway apart from that, which I always feel should be highlighted, and my no apologies for doing so, I did enjoy Horrible Bosses. The plot was a bit thin and a bit obvious, I think it could have used more depth but in general it is a funny, enjoyable film that will mostly appeal to men as opposed to woman I think as it’s certainly in the same mould as The Hangover.

Jason Bateman does what he always does, but is always on good form. Charlie Day and Jason Sudeikis support him well and make cases for themselves being in other big films, doing their credibility no harm at all. Jennifer Anniston puts in a surprisingly good performance and is much better than normal and less irritating, which Kevin Spacey pulls off another smarmy, evil character with aplomb, as does Colin Farrell with similar ease.

Horrible Bosses is well acted, funny, enjoyable and well worth watching.