Movie Review – Date Night

Sigh. For the two funniest people on television, I was expecting very funny, not mildly amusing. The outtakes showed how enjoyable this film coulda, shoulda have been.

I don’t blame the actors. I think the director told them to dial it back and play it straight – which was a mistake, as the plot doesn’t stand on its own. Really – go ask the Tripplehorns to return the stolen flash drive and you’ll solve this whole mistaken identity mob thing? The Fosters don’t come across as morons, so the writers must be.

If the plot doesn’t make sense in a film, you have to fall back on the acting. In this particular outing, people are paying money to see Tina Fey and Steve Carell be outrageous. It is unfortunate the actual “Tripplehorns” (in their brief scene) were funnier.

Since Fey and Carell didn’t act poorly in any way, and even had charisma together, I am assuming the Fosters’ subdued line readings were the director’s choice.

Wait all the way through after the end credits to view the unused, spontaneous line readings and you’ll catch what I mean. These people can be VERY funny if left unleashed to pursue their genius. Someone unwisely decided to play this too straight – too awkwardly uptight – and turned out a film that’s tragically, predictably, ultimately mediocre.

Wait for the DVD for this one.

Movie Grade: C

What did you think about Date Night? Share your thoughts about the movie in the comments below.

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