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Plot: A couple gets bored with their normal routine and feels threatened by close friends deciding to divorce. So, they try to make their date night more interesting and get far more than they bargained for by unwittingly impersonating someone who has offended the mob. Starring: Steve Carell, Tina Fay, Mark Wahlberg, Taraji P Henson, Jimmi Simpson. Directed by: Shawn Levy |
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Genre: Comedy |
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| Dan |
Terri |
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For me and Terri, this was as if each of us saw a different movie from the other. Terri laughed outloud at times, while I entertained myself by looking at the backs of my eyelids and my watch. I thought the premise was tolerable, i.e., that a couples night out could go nuclear under the right circumstances--ever so far from any preconceived expectations. For me, the movie soon lost its footing and credibility. In writing we refer to a fictive world in which disbelief is suspended willingly in an exchange between the author and the audience. It doesn't have to be perfect to be successful, just a fun and easy ride. Sorry Mr. Screenwriter and Director, I just couldn't buy this one on any level. It was too poorly executed and absurd in the presentation. I was quickly pulled out of the fictive trance I was supposed to be in and after that it was just awful--repeated attempts at cheap thrills, hackneyed skits, and unconvincing acting. Normally I think Tina Fey is a delightful, energetic and talented actress, but I was very disappointed in her performance in this. And, Steve Carroll was completely unconvincing, whenever he wasn't busy boring me. The car chases were contrived and gratuitous. There was no originality in this film. the skits were trite and poorly executed. My thumb is down, way down! My gradebook appears in the sidebar. The bottom line for me is D+. Save your money. Find another movie, or do something else with your time.
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Terri thought this was a silly, entertaining, light-hearted comedy with little or no requirements beyond that, except that it be funny. She laughed outload any number of times and felt that there were no firm requirements as to plot, performance, or credibility for the movie to be successful. On the strength of that, she gave it a Thumbs Up!
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