Movie Review - Hot Pursuit

Hot Pursuit

2015

The Cast

Being a fan of Reese Witherspoon and enjoying Sofia Vergara in Modern Family I had to check out this film. It's a shame that the writers and director decided to take it in the direction they did. Witherspoon does a brilliant job of the OCD Cop Cooper, the scene with the "Baking Powder" is one of the best as she gets all hyper as does her speech, and Witherspoon stays in character and accent very well. However, it's Vergara that I feel sorry for as I've seen her in a couple of different roles and she is a good actress. But for the role of Daniella Riva, she's pretty much Gloria.

As for the writing, well Feeney and Quaintance are not the best comedic writers I've seen; and along with the director's Anne Fletcher approach, the comedy is as subtle as a brick. For most of the time, the scenes are overcooked. For example, the escape through the men's toilet window. It's been done before, and better, though for me some of the dialogue could have been sharper and wittier. There's also great opportunity to have a little slapstick and sight gags, but this falls flat and the entire scene is too long. I think this would have been a much better film and the story had more seasoned writers and directors produced this movie. That said, it's not too bad a film and everybody needs to hone their skills; it's at least worth one watch to pass some time.

The best scene in the movie is the one where Cooper and Daniella are handcuffed and need to drive a bus to escape the bad guys while trying to shoot them. This is a well thought out scene and actually did make me laugh, whereas, the rest of the film only raised a smile.

The worst scene is the lesbian group. There are times when it's evident that men wrote this story and this is one of the points in case. Though, the entire scene and set-up feels strained and unloved. It's as though this was thrown into the film, and the director begrudgingly filmed it. Even Witherspoon and Vergara look and feel uncomfortable. It just doesn't work and should have ended up on the cutting room floor.

All in all, this isn't the best comedic film I've watched, though it is better than a lot out there at the moment. As I said before it raised a few smiles and raised my mood, which is a good thing, so I would recommend at least one viewing - as long as there's nothing else you'd rather watch.

For an above average film, I give this an above average 6 out of 10.

The Trailer

Movie Review - Man In The Moon

Man In The Moon

1960

The Cast

This is a classic English comedy as the surreal opening sequence will show. We start with a lovely pan through the English countryside and end up a four poster iron bed, which is fully made in the middle of a field. When you're wondering what the hell is happening, out pops William (brilliantly portrayed by Kenneth More), who then has a nut dropped on him from a passing squirrel... But it only gets stranger when a beautiful and glamorous woman comes across the stream on stepping stones. She ignores William when he speaks to her and as she clambers over the style we see an approaching vehicle. When the land rover pulls up we realise that William is out on the field trying to catch a common cold. It's William's great good health that sets him on the route to being the first man on the moon.

You have to remember that this movie was made in the '60's so most of the technology within the story is now incorrect and, at times, laughable. What made this such a good film for me was the acting. As not only do we have the great Kenneth More, who I can listen to and watch all day, but Shirley Anne Field is so beautiful and plays Polly brilliantly, then there's Norman Bird and Michael Hordern who add gravitas to the film.

Secondly, there's the story which is well written with lots of believable and funny narrative along with realistic characterisations. For me, this is the way that comedy works best. Keep the characters solid and make the lines and situations comedic. Today, too many writers and directors like to have wacky characters - though, on the whole, they appear juvenile and pretty stupid.

This isn't the best comedy, though it did raise a few smiles and laughs. I would gladly recommend this for an afternoons or evenings entertainment.

I give this little treat a joyously humorous 6.5 out of 10. 

The Trailer