Observe And Report

Posted on April 21, 2009 at 9:02 pm by lkeddie | Permalink

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Released 24th April 2009

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Kevin James’s loveable and goofy Paul Blart this definitely isn’t. You’d be right in thinking that the plot generally sounds the same: A mall cop dreams of greater things and being armed to the teeth, whilst trying to impress the girl and save the day. It basically is, bar a few full-frontal, ‘wobbling men’s bits’. But Seth Rogen’s mall guard, Ronnie Barnhard, is the antichrist version of Blart in this dark comedy that’s so black, the humour often shrinks back into mall shadows like an unwanted hanger-on to allow Rogen et al to, basically, explore a tale of people with serious health issues under the all-forgiving ‘comedy canopy’.

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That said the issue some might have with this ‘comedy’ is the suggestive nature that those with bi-polar depression turn into rampaging psychos without the help of their medication, with the little happy pills in the film shown more like ‘party treats’ than a very real necessity for many. “Lighten up”, some will be thinking right now. Trouble is this critic who likes a good twisted giggle tried just that - as hard as possible. Actually, the only character who gets away with poking fun at a serious health issue is Celia Weston as Barnhard’s alcoholic Mom. In playing a truthful depiction and making no excuses for her character’s wretched predicament, she gets the most laughs in this case.

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However, the laughs are there; either blatantly obvious, average slapstick, or more subtle and sinister. But the general feeling was one of nervous, forbidden laughter - like laughing uncomfortably at the racist, dim-witted village idiot before his fall. Nevertheless, Rogen fans will not be disappointed at the frat-style pranks and bodily-function jokes still being present - yes, more vomit, folks. Anna Faris plays her trademark ditzy, cute blonde once more - so no surprises there, looking as sexy as ever and not disappointing many a hormonal youth. However, getting over a seriously nipped-and-tucked Ray Liotta detracts from the plot, but what better a person to be cast, as Liotta always teeters on the brink of insanity in his roles, carrying the badge once more.

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It’s encouraging that a great comedic talent like Rogen seems to be making ‘comedies’ (although ‘dramedies’ might a better description, here) that explore the full spectrum of what can be defined as ‘humour’. After all, humour often goes hand-in-hand with sorrow. However, let’s hope the big man doesn’t lose the respect of his loyal fans along the way that he has rightfully gained from the days of The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up in his journey into darker realms. We are all for pushing the boat out, but just don’t lose sight of the end goal of ‘entertaining people’, or stop kidding us that it’s comedy, and have the guts to venture into serious acting. Depending on the mood, this latest Rogen project will give you some sick satisfaction and belligerent glee, or have you querying just which direction he will go next?

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By Lisa Keddie

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Synopsis

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Bi-polar mall security guard Ronnie Barnhardt is called into action to stop a flasher from turning shopper’s paradise into his personal peep show. But when Barnhardt can’t bring the culprit to justice, a surly police detective, is recruited to close the case.

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Film Facts

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Official site: TBC

UK Release Date: 24th March 2009

Director: Jody Hill

Writer: Jody Hill

Cast: Seth Rogen (’Ronnie Barnhardt’), Ray Liotta (’Detective Harrison’), Michael Pena (’Dennis’), Anna Faris (’Brandi’), Dan Bakkedahl (’Mark’), Jesse Plemons (’Charles’), John Yuan (’John Yuen’), Matthew Yuan (’Matt Yuen’), Celia Weston (’Mom’), Collette Wolfe (’Nell’)