Movies featuring a wolf pack are usually dark comedies and very often, guy flicks— or men’s version of a romantic-comedy, minus the romance of course. With Horrible Bosses, the wolf pack comprises of Jason Bateman as Nick, Charlie Day as Dale and Jason Sudeikis as Kurt, buddies who can’t stand their bosses. Overdue for a promotion, Nick has long endured his psychotic and manipulative boss played by Kevin Spacey. As an assistant, Dale is sexually harassed by his orthodontist boss played by Jennifer Aniston and Kurt has to deal with a racist, drug addicted and cruel boss played by Colin Farrell. When the trio finally decide that enough is enough, they set out on contracting the services of a hit man — a person with an unusual nickname but a person who is about to teach them a lesson they will never forget.
Of the various reasons that make this an enjoyable comedy, the foremost has to be the ensemble cast. Aside from leads like Bateman, Day and Sudeikis doing what they do best, Spacey, Aniston and Farrell add an extra jab of humour, making this a film where everyone offers a good dose of laughter. If that weren’t enough, there is plenty to be had from another line-up of guest appearances. As such, it is hard to place any actor above the rest. But if I was to choose, I would have to stick both thumbs up, one for Charlie Day and the other for Kevin Spacey. While Day’s character is rife with slapstick moments, Spacey is a real treat to watch and is the most loathsome of the three bosses. On that note, Aniston is not far behind in a role totally unlike her usual Miss goody-two-shoes. Forget everything films you have seen her in; this is Aniston like never before – raunchy, provocative and very, very direct.
After the ill-received Four Christmases, director Seth Gordon has evidently upped the ante with precise directing and the use of a humorous screenplay. There is clear chemistry between the three leads and Gordon uses this by getting the viewer to like them despite their murderous intentions. From a directorial standpoint, this is what makes the film engaging. Sure, it gets a bit clichéd and overdone towards the end, but if this film can make you laugh out loud at least thrice, then Gordon has done his job with ample relevance to the genre. I know I did. I also know that given this year’s share of wolf pack comedies, Horrible Bosses has the edge over The Hangover Part II.
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