Horrible Bosses

Release Date: Jul 08, 2011 

Runtime: 1 hr. 40 min. 

Director: Seth Gordon 

Cast: Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, Jennifer Aniston, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Colin Farrell. 

If you’ve ever dealt with an insufferable boss, then you are not alone. In the vein of “Office Space,” Seth Gordon forays into the lives of three disgruntled workers who are fed up with their workplace. Only, instead of unruly copiers and money laundering, it’s their bosses who become targets of misfortune. Filled with nefarious humor and a terrific cast, "Horrible Bosses" does everything that "Bad Teacher" didn’t do, and then some. Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day play the reckless trio of friends, each set out to murder one another’s superior. Though the three share a well-matched camaraderie, it’s Day who is a standout with his high-pitched voice and squeamish behavior. Opposite him is Jennifer Aniston, who steps away from her comfort zone long enough to play a sex-crazed fiend with no moral boundaries. The unexpectedness of such a role is what makes her relation with Day uncomfortable, and that much more hilarious. Colin Farrell as Sudeikis’ boss is equally unpredictable, as he has no qualms when it comes to firing certain people. Which leaves us with Kevin Spacey, who all but revels in making Bateman’s life miserable. As the three prepare to eliminate these nuisances, they receive help from ‘murder consultant’ Jamie Foxx, aka MF Jones. Of course things don’t go as naturally planned and this is where the story takes on a darker tone. As a result, the jokes wane off towards the end which feels disconnected from scenes prior. But a genuine cast of comical individuals is all it takes to make this one of the best comedies so far this year.

Rating: 3½ stars