'Hall Pass' Movie Review

When you go to a Farrelly Brothers movie, you pretty much know what you're getting yourself into. If we've learned nothing over the course of the brothers' career it's that they embrace the gross-out while still attempting to tell a relationship story. Their films include Dumb and Dumber, There's Something About Mary, Shallow Hal, Stuck on You, Fever Pitch, and The Heartbreak Kid...some of which worked, some didn't, but the filmmaking bros are consistent in their approach to storytelling. Their latest film, the R-rated Hall Pass, falls right in line in tone with those past productions.

The Story

As with most Farrelly films, the plot is fairly simple. Rick (Owen Wilson) is married with two kids and has adopted the 'I can look but not touch' attitude when it comes to other women. He doesn't even try to disguise his ogling of pretty ladies, and in fact is so fascinated by the opposite sex it's a wonder he hasn't broken his neck from the quick snaps he does to get in a last look. His wife, Maggie (Jenna Fischer), calls him out on his teenage boy behavior which guilts him into promising to behave. Sure he will...

Meanwhile, Fred (Jason Sudeikis), Rick's best friend, thinks he's fooling his wife, Grace (Christina Applegate), by perfecting what he believes is an undetectable way of looking at women, which is neither undetectable nor fooling Grace. So when Maggie decides it's time to give Rick a hall pass - seven days off from marriage in which he can do anything or anyone his heart (and penis) pleases, totally guilt-free, no questions asked - Grace decides Fred could use some time off too.

Now, this would be worrisome if Fred and Rick had even the smallest bit of game, but their idea of a hot pick up joint is Applebee's, and playing the part of a ladies' man involves dressing as geeky as possible. Their fantasies in no way match reality, as the singles game has changed since they were young and looking for sex. Even with the support and encouragement from their motley crew of friends (played by Larry Joe Campbell, Stephen Merchant, and JB Smoove), Rick and Fred's lame attempts at picking up single ladies are pathetic.

But what the guys fail to realize as they explore their new freedom is that if they've been issued hall passes and are no longer married, then that means their wives are free to roam, too. And the ladies are having a much, much easier time of attracting the opposite sex than their clueless hubbies.

The Acting

The Farrellys stock Hall Pass with an entertaining assortment of supporting characters, from the three buddies who egg Fred and Rick on to a drunken lady suffering from nicotine withdrawal (Carly Craig) to a hot Aussie barista (Nicky Whelan) who Owen Wilson's character sets his sights on as the woman worthy of his hall pass. And as the hapless guys completely out of touch with how to woo women into bed, Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis prove to be inspired casting choices. They click onscreen and together provide the best moments in Hall Pass.

The Bottom Line

The problem with Hall Pass isn't the premise, the cast, or the jokes that fall short of their target. No, what's wrong about Hall Pass is that in so many ways it seems to be trying way, way too hard to land its jokes. At times it feels as though the Farrellys and co-writers Pete Jones and Kevin Barnett are acting more out of a perceived obligation to Farrelly followers to include gross-out comedy.

Another problem with Hall Pass has to do with the way the women are pushed to the forefront occasionally with being truly developed into individual characters. When the film shifts its focus from the men's unsuccessful attempts to recapture their youth to the women getting picked up by baseball players, it loses any momentum it's built up. You can tell the idea of having the women enjoy the benefits of a hall pass was an afterthought, and Jenna Fischer and Christina Applegate get the short end of the stick as far as character development goes.

As for Hall Pass' humor, the filmmaking brothers seem to have adopted the same philosophy with their jokes as Fred and Rick adhere to when trying to get laid. The more attempts you make, the more likely it is you'll score. There are in fact a few real zingers in Hall Pass, and the obligatory stand-out gross-out scene is totally disgusting and hysterical (you will not want to be eating popcorn during it), but for the most part Hall Pass just doesn't feel fresh. It's definitely not in the same league as the Farrellys' Dumb and Dumber or There's Something About Mary, but at least it's infinitely better than their more recent efforts - The Heartbreak Kid, Stuck on You, or Osmosis Jones.

To Sum It Up

The Farrellys are an acquired taste and not for everyone, but their fans should find some hearty laughs sprinkled throughout Hall Pass' swift 98 running time.

Note: There's a reason to stay in your seat during the credits. Stephen Merchant's underutilized in the film, but hang out through the credits and you'll be treated to a short film featuring the British writer/director/overall funny man.

GRADE: C+

Hall Pass was directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly and is rated R for crude and sexual humor throughout, language, some graphic nudity and drug use.

Theatrical Release: February 25, 2011