Horrible Bosses (2011)

Studio: Warner Brothers/New Line Cinema

Theatrical Release: July 8, 2011

R

Review by James Klein

Ever work over 40 hours a week? Ever work weekends when you weren't suppose to? Ever not get a raise for all the hard work you've done at your current job? Ever feel like your life has gotten worse because of your current employer? If so, do yourself a favor and check out this summer's funniest comedy and for 98 minutes you can laugh along and identify with the characters of Horrible Bosses.

Nick, Dale and Kurt all hate their current job due to their boss. Nick (Jason Bateman) works at a desk job where he believes that he is next in line to be the senior vice president of the company he works for but his boss Mr. Harkin (Kevin Spacey) refuses to give him that position and continues to mock, ridicule and play head games with Nick. Dale (Charlie Day) works as a dental assistant to the beautiful Dr. Harris (Jennifer Aniston) who sexual harasses him constantly and continues to threaten black mail by lying to Dale's fiancé about their relationship. Kurt (Jason Sudekis) works for a warehouse and when his boss unexpectedly dies, he is forced to work under the boss's son (an underused and surprisingly hilarious Colin Farrell)  who is an obnoxious cokehead and tries to cut as many corners in the company to support his coke habit. When the three friends have hit their breaking point, they start to come up with ideas on how to kill their bosses. When they find a mysterious hit man (Jamie Foxx) at a dive bar, the plan begins to get even more complicated.

While the story is at times too much like Strangers on a Train (they even bring this movie up at one point while getting it confused with Throw Momma From the Train) and seems to go down a semi-predictable storyline, the film is saved by the performances. Jason Bateman, Jason Sudekis and Charlie Day are hilarious and all of them work very well together, supplying some of the best chemistry that rivals the characters from The Hangover. The jokes come by so fast while everyone is screaming or talking on top of one another, I couldn't breathe at times because I laughed so hard. I know I missed a few jokes due to this and it didn't help that the audience was laughing a lot as well. When a joke got stale, it was always saved by an expression or mannerism that worked so well, the joke was forgiven or it brought out a new joke because of this.

If I have a major complaint, it would be that the film could and maybe should have gone down a darker route. Horrible Bosses, while earning a heavy R rating, still seemed like it went soft, afraid to shift the tone a little or get too dark. But it is a minor complaint as I still found the film hilarious thanks to the brilliant casting and some great cameos. Horrible Bosses provided me with something I don't have or get while I am at work...a smile.