Hall Pass

Hall Pass (2011) - Run time: 1h45min

Plot:

Wives Maggie (Jenna Fischer) and Grace (Christina Applegate) are sick and tired of their husbands (Owen Wilson & Jason Sudeikis) checking out other women right in front of them, and after talking to an older psychologist friend (Joy Behar), decide to grant them a Hall Pass: one week off from the restrictions of marriage, in hopes of improving their marriages. Basically they are given the opportunity to cheat on their wives with no consequences and to live out all their horny teenage boy fantasies that they believe would be reality if not for their wives. Meanwhile, the wives have some fun of their own after retreating to a beach house for the week.

Review:

So despite everything I had heard about this movie, I still had high hopes for it. In general, Owen Wilson can usually hold his own in a comedy situation and I am a HUGE fan of the Office and Fischer's character on that show. Christina Applegate is also become a huge comedy queen in the last few years. So like I said, I had high hopes. I was disappointed. It wasn't the WORST movie I have ever seen but it fell far short of the comedic gold it could have been. Basically it is a movie filled with stereotypes, male chauvinism and bad jokes that have been used over and over. If you like penis jokes, men complaining about their wives and all the hot chicks they could be banging if not for them, and a lot of really bad cliches then this is the movie for you. I'm sure men across the country loved this movie, it's basically the opposite of a chick flick. Now this is from a purely critical standpoint - it's utter crap. BUT, like I said, it's also not the worst movie I have ever seen, not by a long shot.

I'm the kind of person who goes to the movies to be entertained. Generally speaking I don't really like having to think while at the movies, I go to relax, unwind and rest my mind (there are however some exceptions to this rule). From a purely entertainment standpoint, it's not a bad flick. I went on cheap Tuesday and I'd definitely say it's not worth $11 but if you have a gift certificate or talk someone else into paying, then go see it. If not, I would recommend waiting until it comes out on video and rent it.

Overall I found it predictable, overwrought with bad jokes we've all heard a million times, and bad sight gags - but still gave me a few good laughs. Oh yeah, warning to all you parents out there, it's rated 14+ but I think that's pushing it a bit. There is nudity (both female AND male full frontal), swearing, sex, masturbation, dirty jokes and adult content. I wouldn't let my kid see it that's for sure (if I had one that is). I also wouldn't have thought the older crowd would like it much but there was an elderly couple right behind me in the theatre who laughed more than I did, so who knows.

Rating 6/10 - one to rent for sure - considering the gems that have come out in the last little bit I found it disappointing.