I saw "Observe & Report" last night with mild anticipation. I knew it was unlikely to be a masterpiece of "cinema," but I was nonetheless expecting some raucous, silly, fun and dumb laughs. I like Seth Rogan, and Anna Faris, and I like this genre, too.
Instead of the funny, goofy, and escapist trip I expected, I saw a very sad and even depressing movie. It seemed cruel that the director was asking us to laugh at such human misery. Ronnie Barnhardt, Rogen's character, was not just some caricature of a wannabe copper we could laugh at. He was genuinely pathetic. I felt horribly sad and sorry for the poor guy. And his mother, played expertly by Celia Weston, was such a loony-tunes and pathetic creature that it was difficult to watch her. I chuckled mildly twice. The packed cinema I was in laughed mildly a few more times--- but those sitting near me seemed more disturbed and uncomfortable--- and yes, even embarrassed--- than amused. I heard many soft groans and "Ewww" more than once.
Maybe there is something about "mall cop" comedies that makes them impossible to pull off successfully? The last one a few months ago was absolutely not funny. It was a dud. But at least it wasn't this heart-wrenchingly depressing.
Noticing the rave reviews and comments in the first few posts in this forum, it made me wonder about the authenticity and genuineness of the authors. I may be completely off-base, in which case I can only apologise. After all, we all have different tastes, and if this film is your cup of tea, then by all means enjoy it, and share your views. But I must confess a bit of disbelief when I read the first couple of pages filled with glowing reports. Come on!!! Even if I had liked this, and found it in my heart to laugh at these demented and sad creatures, I still would not have said "Movie of the century!" and similar hyperbole. But, maybe that's just me. With all due respect, I have often wondered if the first posts on the user comment boards come from people who work for the studios--- you know, PR types paid to flood the boards with misleading hype?
Instead of the funny, goofy, and escapist trip I expected, I saw a very sad and even depressing movie. It seemed cruel that the director was asking us to laugh at such human misery. Ronnie Barnhardt, Rogen's character, was not just some caricature of a wannabe copper we could laugh at. He was genuinely pathetic. I felt horribly sad and sorry for the poor guy. And his mother, played expertly by Celia Weston, was such a loony-tunes and pathetic creature that it was difficult to watch her. I chuckled mildly twice. The packed cinema I was in laughed mildly a few more times--- but those sitting near me seemed more disturbed and uncomfortable--- and yes, even embarrassed--- than amused. I heard many soft groans and "Ewww" more than once.
Maybe there is something about "mall cop" comedies that makes them impossible to pull off successfully? The last one a few months ago was absolutely not funny. It was a dud. But at least it wasn't this heart-wrenchingly depressing.
Noticing the rave reviews and comments in the first few posts in this forum, it made me wonder about the authenticity and genuineness of the authors. I may be completely off-base, in which case I can only apologise. After all, we all have different tastes, and if this film is your cup of tea, then by all means enjoy it, and share your views. But I must confess a bit of disbelief when I read the first couple of pages filled with glowing reports. Come on!!! Even if I had liked this, and found it in my heart to laugh at these demented and sad creatures, I still would not have said "Movie of the century!" and similar hyperbole. But, maybe that's just me. With all due respect, I have often wondered if the first posts on the user comment boards come from people who work for the studios--- you know, PR types paid to flood the boards with misleading hype?