Horrible Bosses Is Gleefully Silly

citizen |

by Christy Lemire

AP Movie Critic

Horrible Bosses wallows in silliness - gleefully, and without an ounce of remorse or self-consciousness - and even though you're a grown-up and you know you should know better, you will be happy to wallow right along, as well.

It's a film that's wildly, brazenly stupid - but also, you know, fun.

Because like Bad Teacher, another recent raunchfest, Horrible Bosses knows exactly what it is and doesn't aspire to be anything more (or dare we say better?), and that lack of pretention is refreshing. It isn't trying to say anything profound about society or the economy or the fragile psyche of the post-modern man.

It's about three guys who hate their jobs and want to kill their bosses. And really, who among us hasn't pondered such a plan?

Naturally, no member of this trio is nearly as clever or sophisticated as he thinks he is. Together, they bumble and bungle every step of the way and occasionally, by accident, they get something right. But the dynamic between Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day as they bounce off each other is cheerfully loony, and the energy of their banter (which often feels improvised) has enough of an infectious quality to make you want to forgive the film's general messiness. Although maybe such a sloppy approach was intentional given the subject matter.

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