Movie Review: A comic identity thief

From the creators of Hangover 2 comes this crime comedy featuring silver screen big guns Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids). Lately, Jason Bateman seems to be the in-guy when it comes to big budget attempts at making people laugh. However in this regard, he and Melissa McCarthy don’t seem to be very effective in their endeavours. The duo star in this movie crime comedy about a one Sandy Patterson who gets his identity stolen by a foul mouthed conniving thief called Diana.

With his job on the line and nothing to lose he decides to drive to the sunny state in order to bring this criminal to book. Somehow he manages to convince her to ride back with him to Colorado. Along the way circumstances force the two to bond, as their ride back to Sandy’s home state is far from smooth.

It soon becomes evident that Sandy is not the only person in pursuit of Diana. As a bunch of gangsters and a bounty hunter are also vying for a piece of her.
In my view, the actors have done better in the past and seem to be doing way below their comedic potential.

The story plot is far from believable as they are a lot of things in the story line that don’t add up. For instance, the main protagonist manages to convince a career criminal with self-serving interests to return to with him home in order to clear his name.
Then at one point along the journey he is bitten by a snake only to wake up much later unharmed without any medical attention. Emphasis is put rather on cheap attempts at eliciting some sort of laughter from the audience at any cost.

I must admit that at times its spot on and at other times you are left shaking your head in despair. The leading lady comes off as more disturbing than funny as she takes every opportunity to draw attention to herself even when it is uncalled for. The movie seems to take lessons right out of Adam Sandler’s play book with limited success.

However it is not all doom and gloom as the rest of the people I was watching with seemed to be in tatters throughout the screening of the movie. May be I just need to get a sense of humour.

Showing now at Cineplex Cinema

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