ViewGuide

Created Apr 11, 2010 10:53PM PST • Edited Nov 09, 2011 11:31PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Very Good 3.5

   Sure fire date night entertainment, this very funny movie can be thought of as Hitchcock does Parenthood. At least 40% LOL and with the inevitable clunkers mostly coming at the end, it delivers as promised. For stressed out parents, that’s no small treat.

   Redoubtable comedic stars Steve Carell and Tina Fey anchor a cast that has big names playing even the small roles. Carell is a special talent. The guy plays dork as well as it’s ever been done, which is to say he makes the audience root for him even as he’s humiliating himself. Here he’s playing a pedestrian version of the Maxwell Smart he played in 08’s Get Smart, only this time he’s got a loving wife as his encouraging foil instead of Agent 99.

   The movie’s secret bond with its targeted demographic comes from the many marital frustrations it humorously skewers. And from the fact that this long-married couple discover strengths unknown to themselves or to their spouse. In that way it’s like a real marriage, the good ones anyway.

4. Acting

   Very Good 3.5

   Steve Carell and Tina Fey demonstrate palpable chemistry with each other to go along with their reliable comedic chops. Carell, in particular, is a stellar comedic actor, big screen or small. Fey comes across as a TV performer a bit out of her league on the silver screen, not enough to ruin the movie, but enough that she’s unlikely to ever carry a movie herself.

   A big-name supporting cast keeps the episodic plot moving.

   • Mark Wahlberg simmers as a sexy dude who brings out the hottie in Tina Fey.
   • Taraji P. Henson as a savvy detective.
   • Mark Ruffalo and Kristen Wiig as a happily unhappy couple.
   • James Franco and Mila Kunis as a happily low-life couple.
   • Ray Liotta as a mob boss.

   Several other supporting characters disappoint.

   • Jimmi Simpson and Common as a couple of heavies who seem only quasi intimidating.
   • William Fichtner as a ridiculously corrupt Mr. Big.

5. Male Stars Great 4.0

6. Female Stars Very Good 3.5

7. Female Costars Very Good 3.5

8. Male Costars Good 3.0

10. Film

    Very Good 3.5

    The story cleverly places a boring suburban couple into a mistaken identity situation, where they have to navigate the glam and underworld of Gotham in order to save themselves. This Hitchcockian set-up creates all sorts of comedic opportunities to reexamine their relationship, their lives, and their previously undiscovered capabilities.

11. Direction Very Good 3.5

12. Play Great 4.0

13. Music Very Good 3.5

14. Visuals Very Good 3.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.8

    Several of the obscure sexual references are sure to create headscratching moments for many marrieds in the audience.

17. Sex Titillating 1.8

18. Violence Gentle 1.5

19. Rudeness Salty 2.0

21. Reality

    Glib 1.9

22. Circumstantial Surreal 2.1

23. Biological Glib 1.5

24. Physical Glib 2.0