Hall Pass

Peter and Bobby Farrelly's marriage comedy Hall Pass is a childish attempt at tackling grown-up problems. Rick (Owen Wilson) and Fred (Jason Sudeikis) think they've died and gone to heaven when their frustrated wives (Jenna Fischer and Christina Applegate, respectively) give them a "hall pass," or one week off from marriage. The reprieve comes with no restrictions, with the aim of salvaging their respective relationships. (The logic is definitely questionable). Rick and Fred, bullish about their prospects, waste no time in going out looking for women with their buddies, including a woefully underutilized Stephen Merchant as mischievous and out-of-touch pal, Gary. A weak script with punchless punch lines and all-too-obvious jokes ultimately dooms Hall Pass, whose cast is strong on paper. Wilson and Sudeikis each have expert comedic timing, but both are best suited as the straight man, so their talents are largely wasted on base innuendos and inane situations. Toilet humor can still be hilarious when done well—and the Farrellys have done it well in the past—but this film is unfocused, lazy, and contrived, with stretches that border on boring. As forgettable as its jokes, Hall Pass attempts to present a vague message about love and marriage, but even that is lost in a tiresome sea of bodily fluids and booze.