Horrible Bosses (2011)

Directed by: Seth Gordon | 100 minutes | comedy | Actors: Jennifer Aniston, Jason Bateman, Charlie Day, Jason Sudeikis, Colin Farrell, Jamie Foxx, Kevin Spacey, Julie Bowen, Donald Sutherland, Lindsay Sloane, Kevin Pennington, John Francis Daley, Isaiah Mustafa, Maulik Pancholy, Chad Coleman

Anyone who has ever worked in an office knows that job satisfaction largely depends on great colleagues and above all: a pleasant boss. And anyone who has ever watched an office movie knows that the typical portrayal of the boss in question is just the opposite. Although a title like ‘Horrible Bosses’ obviously doesn’t suggest much else, that is also the case this time around. In a darkly comical way, the film tries to answer the question of how you can best deal with this as an employee. Namely by getting rid of your boss.

Friends Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale (Charlie Day) all have bosses they want to get rid of. Nick is a downright bastard (the always eloquent Kevin Spacey) who keeps him on a leash for years for a promotion, but eventually just takes the job himself. After the death of his sweet boss, Kurt has to deal with his coke-addicted son Bobby (a well-made Colin Farell). And Dale… his problem is not taken quite seriously by the other two. As a dental assistant, he is sexually harassed by his horny boss (Jennifer Aniston as a brunette). But poor Dale is engaged and is having a hard time with it.

You don’t need to know much more about the story. Except that Nick, Kurt, and Dale are total bums when it comes to plotting to get rid of their executives. That’s what the humor of the film is largely based on: creating bizarre situations by having a bunch of nitwits do big men’s work. And although this definitely provides some funny or at least remarkable moments, it is not directly innovative in approach or style. In fact, director Seth Gordon has failed to make ‘Horrible Bosses’ more than an entertaining story.

The film balances on too many different thoughts when it comes to humor. Especially when it comes to the 18+ jokes, the point is completely missed. ‘Horrible Bosses’ seems to want to emulate Judd Apatow’s success, but is far too prudish in comparison. Jennifer Aniston may be a bit of a sneer, but even when she’s portrayed practically naked, there isn’t even the slightest glimpse of a nipple. Also the Thai hookers that Bobby frequently uses do little more than shake their skinny asses. An average Disney film manages to make it even more exciting.

Although Bateman, Sudeikis and Day form a funny trio, they rarely manage to cause real hilarity in their interplay. Especially Bateman, by far the biggest name of the three, plays too much on autopilot. Ultimately, it is mainly the ‘bosses’ who cause the necessary venom. But they are not used enough to save the film. The low point is the role of Jamie Foxx as wannabe-criminal Dean ‘Motherfucker’ Jones. It is difficult to speak of a miscast with such an outstanding actor, but it is at the very least a bizarre directorial mistake to have him rely on his slapstick skills. Because they are completely out of tune with the rest of the film. All in all ‘Horrible Bosses’ is at most a funny snack. While there was much more to it.