Observe and Report

Observe and Report (2009)
Directed by Jody Hill
Length: 86 minutes
Rated R for pervasive language, graphic nudity, drug use, sexual content and violence


So what if Travis Bickle from Taxi Driver and Paul Blart somehow met, and by chance had a baby? Then Observe and Report would be the demented offspring sprung from the depths of Jody Hill's "interesting" mind. Jody Hill (The Foot Fist Way, Eastbound & Down) has gained a reputation as a writer/director with few scruples. Excessive drug use? Check. Extreme language to the point of redundancy? Oh yeah. If you have seen any of Hill's previous works, you'll definitely be familiar with the dark comedy material prevalent throughout much of his work. Though there are plenty of laughs to be had with this film, there are equally as many jaw dropping moments.

Observe and Report takes place in the suburban hell known as the mall. Seth Rogen (Funny People, Monsters vs. Alien) plays Ronnie Barnhardt, a Bi-polar head of mall security that makes it his mission to stop a flasher plaguing the shoppers of the mall. Rogen fulfills the role of the arrogant, angry, emotionally unstable lead most often found in Hill's material. Ronnie may be incapable of truly understanding how troubled he really is, but deep down his flashes of compassion for those he cares about have a way of coming forward. Though Hill has no qualms about walking the line of what is appropriate and then leaping across it, he has always been capable of drawing out the emotions of his characters. You'll definitely cheer on Ronnie as he stands up for a handicapped mall worker, then just shake your head in disbelief at the things he says or does.

Anna Faris (Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, The House Bunny) has really captured the market for "dumb blonde bitches" in comedy movies. Though she may be famous for her roles in the Scary Movie franchise or as the over-age Playmate in The House Bunny, Faris is more than a product of dumb comedies. She has the attitude and mannerisms down, and is able to make you hate her but laugh hysterically the next. Will she ever win an award? Probably not, but she has definitely climbed the ranks as one of Hollywood's funniest females. Her spin as Brandi, the slutty, bitchy make-up salesperson and apple of Ronnie's eye definitely continues her rise as a comedic force. Let's just say, we all know this crazy party girl who parties a bit too much.

I won't lie and state that Observe and Report is a classic or an exceptional movie; it's definitely far from it. But there are definitely plenty of laughs to be had...that is assuming you don't mind watching someone beat up kids, two minutes of characters exchanging "fuck you's", and a chick having sex while being so drunk she pukes during...and lots of tiny penis...lots. I hope in the future Jody Hill will step out of his comfort zone and experiment with less dark comedies with the same male character in every movie. But until that day, if you don't mind obscenities, nudity, and "dark" comedy, then give this film a view and you'll definitely have some laughs.

Final Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Favorite Quote:
Saddam: "My dick is brown, you dumb motherfucker!"