Horrible Bosses (2011)

Horrible Bosses is a great example of a modern ensemble comedy. It has a great premise that it takes in a rather over the top direction, and I think it could have failed miserably. But with this cast, it's almost impossible to fail. And not only that, the over the top direction makes it more fun (it's like a lighter Very Bad Things). The movie is just flat out wall to wall comedy. Not a serious bone in its body. Usually you find some sort of dramatic character arc to tie everything together, but you don't really get that here. The characters start off stupid and they end up...slightly less stupid? But still pretty damn stupid. It's basically a really funny, stupid movie.

The movie follows three men, and their respective bosses. Jason Bateman's boss, played by Kevin Spacey, is an abusive, lying douche bag who makes Bateman think that he's in line for a big promotion, only to change his mind at the last minute. Charlie Day is a dental assistant who has to endure day after day of sexual abuse and borderline rape from his female dentist boss (played by the lovely Jennifer Anniston, back to her great comedic form). And Jason Sudeikis' boss is actually a lovable father figure played by the great Donald Sutherland. Unfortunately, Sutherland doesn't stick around too long and his cocaine addicted son (Colin Farrell, in a great performance) inherits the company.

At the end of the day, these three gentleman like to hang out at a bar and complain about how terrible their jobs and bosses are. They all seem to be at the end of their rope, and they begin to hypothetically wonder how much better their lives would be if they killed their bosses? And then it stops being a hypothetical question, and it may just be a plan that they actually decide to put in motion.

Like I says, the cast really helps make the movie. Jamie Foxx is a standout as Motherfucker Jones (great name), a man who has been recently released from prison, and who may be able to help the three leads kill their bosses. Charlie Day is great as well. Jennifer Anniston is fantastic as the filthy mouth dentist, and Jason Batman and Sudeikis effectively round out the cast. Also, Kevin Spacey and Colin Farrel are really unlikable in this, in the best way possible.

RATING: 3.5/5