Horrible Bosses (Rhoades)

“Horrible Bosses” Ain’t So Bad
Reviewed by Shirrel Rhoades

A few weeks ago I reviewed the Cameron Diaz comedy “Bad Teacher.” After referencing Billy Bob Thornton’s “Bad Santa,” I suggested this might be a new trend for movies – Bad Mom? Bad Dog? Bad Date? Bad Wife?

Like I said, I think we’re onto something here. Because this week we have a murderous new comedy about Bad Bosses. Sure, they changed the movie’s name slightly, calling it “Horrible Bosses.” It’s currently playing at the Tropic Cinema.

In it, three schmucks (Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, and Jason Sudeikis) decide to kill their overbearing bosses with comic results.

Who are these bad bosses? Kevin Spacey, Jennifer Aniston, and Colin Farrell.
Nick (Jason Bateman) is an exec who has been passed over for promotion when his supervisor promotes himself.

Dale (Charlie Day) is a dental assistant enduring sexual harassment by his female boss.
Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) is an accountant dealing with a new, drug-addled boss.

So, of course, the guys call on a so-called “murder consultant,” a hitman known as Dean “(we can’t print his nickname)” Jones. This character is humorously played by Jamie Foxx.
The three put-upon employees are fairly predictable in their comic personae. And Kevin Spacey gives a masterfully smarmy performance. America’s Sweetheart Jennifer Aniston plays against type as a sexually aggressive dentist who looks great eating bananas while wearing skimpy black underwear. And you’ll barely recognize dreamboat Irish actor Colin Farrell with his higher forehead and goofy expressions.

Although scripted by John Francis Daley and Jonathan M. Goldstein, “Horrible Bosses” is based on a story by writer-actor Michael Markowitz. He wrote the role of Nick especially for Jason Bateman, and created the role of Dr. Harris with Jennifer Aniston in mind.
This silly little film has been kicking around Hollywood since 2005, when New Line Cinema purchased Markowitz’s original script. Frank Oz (“Little Shop of Horrors”) was expected to direct, but Seth Gordon (“Four Christmases”) stepped in when Daley and Goldstein rewrote the screenplay in 2010.

Bad Teacher. Bad Santa. Bad Boys. Horrible Bosses. Maybe one of these days there will be a spoof titled “Bad Movies.” Not that this diverting laughfest is all that bad.

srhoades@aol.com
[from Solares Hil]