Horrible Bosses

Synopsis: One of the few films capable of making murder light hearted.

Review: Once in a while we all come across that supervisor whose management style is equivalent to being repeatedly poked in the eye of your penis (or female equivalent) with a white-hot crowbar. Unfortunately, as is generally the case, the shackles of contemporary behaviour require that we swallow the faeces sandwich, smile and ask for another bite. Horrible bosses follows the three protagonists Dale (Charlie Day), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Nick (Jason Bateman), three high school friends, all at points in their lives where their enthusiasm for their bosses is synonymous with a heroine addicts affinity for getting clean. After realising they’re all in situations where simply quitting would leave them in a situation where sexual compromise would be essential to pay the bills they come up with the genius plan to kill each of their bosses. Cue hilarity based solely around the middle class white perception of the simplicity of murder, where methods are based primarily around the ‘how people screwed up on Law and Order’ and the advice of their murder consultant ‘Muthafucka Jones’ (Jamie Foxx). The dynamic between the three characters is fantastic and one can truly see how, if pushed to the edge, with the appropriate motivation, you could conceivably find yourself bumbling through a half-baked plan to rid yourself of someone who’s presence in your life can be likened to that of a haemorrhoid you accidently rubbed with deep heat. All of the characters in this film are a joy to watch and will make you smile with that knowing “I’ve been there” look on your face. The three lesser known actors performances are supplemented nicely with Hollywood A-Listers Kevin Spacey (the megalomaniac investment banking boss), Jennifer Anniston (a sex crazed Dentist) and Colin Farrell (a coked up company heir), all of whose personalities diverge from their typical on-screen stereotypes. I would have like to have rated this more highly but alas, it falls into the same genre that we see being produced at an American Opussum’s gestation period rate (12-13 days for those non-Attenborough aficionados out there). For lovers of movies like Old School and The Hangover, this is right up your ally and I guarantee you’ll be on the edge of your seat laughing. For everyone else, find a sense of humour and indulge in what will likely be (for those in the rat race) the best 97 minutes of your weekend.

Rating: 3/5