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Married pals Fred (Jason Sudeikis), left, and Rick (Owen Wilson) can’t believe their wives gave them a “Hall Pass” to have sex with other women for a week, penalty-free. |
Only one scene in the Farrelly brothers’ new comedy, “Hall Pass,” resonates with insight into how the sexual immaturity of men can fray the romantic bonds between a happily married couple.
Rick (Owen Wilson) and his wife, Maggie (“The Office” star Jenna Fischer), intend to engage in the dance of the wild bunnies as soon as their little boy falls asleep.
When Rick finally enters their bedroom, Maggie is fast asleep. But the moment Rick leaves the room, Maggie opens her eyes.
Faker! Faker!
Later, Maggie tearfully explains to her best friend Grace (Christina Applegate) why she pretended to be asleep: because she feared that while making love to her, Rick would be thinking of all the hot babes he’d ogled and fussed over earlier that day.
This is a very smart and disturbing scene.
Had “Hall Pass” offered more moments like it, directors Peter and Bobby Farrelly would have a major hit comedy that simultaneously appealed to the sensitivity of women’s feelings and the insensitivity of men’s penchants for adolescent sexual fixations.
Nope. “Hall Pass” is a spotty, choppy mess, a belabored comedy that could use another pass through editing software, plus benefit from a more thoughtful ending beyond the expected “grass is greener where you’re standing” moral to the story. (Read more…)