Whose the Boss Now?

Rating: 8/10 (10 November 2011)

Who hasn't worked for a horrible boss at least once in their lives? You know the types; incompetent, exploitative, crass, mean-spirited, theirs a wide spectrum of adjectives to describe people who may not deserve the positions they have achieved. Wouldn't it be nice if they were taken out of the picture? That's what this black comedy asks, brought to you by an up-and-coming director and a cavalcade of talented stars.
The story revolves around three working stiffs: Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day. One works for a megalomaniac slave driver (Kevin Spacey), another for a drug-addled idiot (Colin Farrell) while the third works for a crazed nymphomaniac (Jennifer Aniston). Stuck where they are for various reasons they discuss their laundry list of workplace grievances concluding their bosses need to take a long dirt nap. They then wonder into the bad side of town to hire a murder consultant (Jamie Foxx) soon realizing the best laid plans never go smoothly.
The energy of "Horrible Bosses" is what sets the movie apart from other R-rated comedies. Bateman, Sudeikis and Day have a natural chemistry and gift for comedy lobbing jokes off each other like a professional three-way tennis match. The films vivacity doesn't let up when introducing our primary villains either. Each take their respective tropes to farce levels and seem to have a lot of fun doing it. Jennifer Aniston in particular seems to take relish in torturing her assistant going so far as to stripping down to only a lab coat in front of him.
Seth Gordon is a director to watch for in the future. Like a old pro, Gordon has a steady hand and confidence not seen in many comedic directors. While many like Adam McKay and Jay Roach become indulgent, distracting from the plot with anarchic comedy bits, Gordon wisely trims the fat to balance time between the three major conflicts.
It would have been nice to see a little more of the supporting players which include Donald Sutherland, Bob Newhart, Ioan Gruffudd and especially Jamie Foxx. Additionally the script is surprisingly light for such dark subject matter as evidenced when the body count starts to rise.
Still "Horrible Bosses" remains the best mainstream comedy to come out this summer. It's energetic, timely and of course downright hilarious.
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