The slogan at the top of the poster for “Hall Pass” says, “From the directors of There’s Something About Mary.” There should be an asterisk at the end of the phrase pointing moviegoers to a paragraph at the bottom of the poster that reads like this:
“The Farrelly Brothers directed There’s Something About Mary 13 years ago. Since then, they’ve released films that were not nearly as funny and, in some cases, were downright terrible.”
To be fair, Bobby and Peter Farrelly made the great “Fever Pitch” in 2005, and movies like “Stuck on You” and “Shallow Hal” weren’t all bad, but the brothers long ago spent whatever good will they built up with “There’s Something About Mary” on duds like “Me, Myself and Irene” and “Heartbreak Kid.”
So, I went into “Hall Pass” with low expectations. In the past, anticipating an experience on par with a TV sitcom has allowed me to enjoy what turned out to be a decent comedy. If you expect “Citizen Kane” every time you go to the movies, you’re going to hate everything.
Speaking of “Citizen Kane,” the Farrellys are essentially modern day Orson Welleses of politically incorrect movies. Their films have centered on characters that are overweight, physically handicapped and mentally impaired. And without exception, they’ve made these characters the butt of their jokes.
For example, in “Shallow Hal,” a rotund Gwyneth Paltrow jumps into a large swimming pool and empties it of water. That scene offended a lot of people, but by the end of the movie, it was apparent the Farrellys’ hearts were in the right places. Not only that, but being confronted with ostensibly offensive material led me to examine my own attitudes about overweight people.
The Farrellys are also known for their love of crude and sexual humor. If movies were dirty jokes, they’d be considered masters of the art form. If you’ve seen “There’s Something About Mary,” then I summon your memory of the “hair gel” scene as Exhibit A.
While there’s plenty of Farrelly grade smut in “Hall Pass,” the brothers take a break from dealing with deliberately provocative characters and instead set their sights on the most pitiful group of sad sacks to ever walk the Earth: middle-aged married men with arrested development.
Is there anything more pathetic than a 40-year-old man who tied the knot early in life but still thinks he could sleep with every woman who crosses his path if only he were single? I submit that there is not, and offer Rick and Fred as evidence.
“Hall Pass” opens with a sugary sweet scene in which Rick shows his two children pictures of him and his wife, Maggie, when they were dating. Later, as Rick and Maggie are enjoying an evening out, he glances at a young woman’s backside. When his wife takes issue with his mental infidelity, he says he can’t help it because he’s a guy.
Later, when the babysitter hits on Rick, he turns her down, so while his eyes might wander, there’s a line he won’t cross.
Rick’s friend, Fred, seems willing to not only cross the line but also put it so far behind him he’d have trouble finding his way back.
Due to circumstances I won’t describe, the wives of these two men give them a hall pass: one week without marriage. During those seven days, they’ll be able to do whatever they want, with whomever they want, and at the end of the moratorium, they’ll be welcomed back into the loving arms of their spouses – no questions asked.
The Farrellys pull a few good laughs out of the concept. For their first night out, the two men go to Applebee’s to meet women, but gorge themselves on ribs instead. They tell themselves it’s best to start slow and call it a night.
Before the end of the movie, all four spouses have the opportunity to cheat. While I was surprised when more than one character took that step, their actions were irrelevant because, true to the concept of the hall pass, no one has to pay any consequences.
Instead of exploring the impact of adultery, which admittedly would be hard to do in a comedy, the Farrellys plumb new depths of crude humor. Also, “Hall Pass” takes an absurd turn into “Hangover” territory. Ever since that movie was a hit, every comedy has to feature outrageous twists and madcap, testosterone-fueled adventures. It’s already gotten old.
I went into “Hall Pass” with low expectations, and the Farrellys met me where I was. I don’t think we’ll be seeing “From the directors of Hall Pass” on the posters of any of their future movies.
Rated R for crude and sexual humor, graphic nudity and drug use. Two stars out of four. Next week: “The Adjustment Bureau.” Email David Laprad at dlaprad@hamiltoncountyherald.com.