Hall Pass, directed by The Farrelly Brothers (Nick)

Tonight I decided to check out the new Farrelly Brothers comedy Hall Pass, starring Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis. Wilson and Sudeikis play typical married men struggling to grow up and be mature husbands. Their wives, who are just as good of friends as the guys are, are on to their antics of gawking at other women and having sexual fantasies that don't include their significant others regularly. Their wives, played by Jenna Fischer and Christina Applegate, hear about this thing called a "hall pass" from their psychiatrist friend, played by Joy Behar, who claims it did wonders for her marriage. Rick and Fred's wives are not happy with the guys, and after a few embarrassing (hilarious) displays, decide to grant them each a hall pass to essentially let them have the freedom they had when single. So they try their hand at picking up women, and while they're having their hall pass week, their wives also decide to have some fun.

The movie explores the themes of "be careful what you wish for" and "you don't know what you have until it's gone" as the two experience the freedom they thought they wanted, and the wives have fun as pretending they're back in college. As with a lot of these marriage/buddy comedies, the writers paint a depressing picture of marriage in its dullness, the lameness of middle aged dudes, and the extreme lack of intimacy with the wife. The movie has funny parts for sure and has a good message and ending, but it's definitely not the Farrelly Brothers best work (i.e. Dumb and Dumber, There's Something About Mary, etc.). It's a decent comedy worth watching on a slow night for some easy entertainment. Owens and Sudeikis are always good for some laughs.

Recommended if you like this one: Cedar Rapids, You Me and Dupree, and Swingers