Big Screen Peter: Hall Pass

Editor’s note: Peter Lewis has agreed to use whatever it is you call his writing style to provide some measure of analysis to those folks who still go to a theater to see a movie.

review by Peter Lewis

Since “Dumb & Dumber” hit the silver screen way back in 1994, the Farrelly Brothers have, if nothing else, displayed a penchant for pushing the boundaries of penis humor.  After initial successes like Kingpin and There’s Something About Mary, their schtick wore thin.

It’s been a decade since they’ve made what could be reasonably construed as both a successful and humorous comedy film. And with the release of “Hall Pass” this past weekend, our wait continues.

“Hall Pass” stars Owen Wilson and Jason Sudeikis as Rick and Fred, two out of touch, sex obsessed pals in suburban New England. Though the pair are affable, driven members of society, their obsessions with the opposite gender has caused their respective marital situations to hit a rough patch. This, in turn, causes the wives to give the husbands a “hall pass” — essentially, a break from all marital responsibilities, including fidelity.

If nothing else, the film does succeed in its display of suburban mentality and society.  The satire is far from sophisticated, but it is pointed. It’s the Dad Life rap, but free of the morality, cranked up to eleven and featuring T&A. And penises. Don’t forget those. It sure isn’t subtle, but it does pull out a handful of laughs.

Though laughter is a key element to a comedy, the connotation and import of the humor is a much larger factor. The memorable moments of this film are tied almost exclusively to shock factor. One might remember the scene in the sauna, but it’s hard to tie a film together with one long schlong. But boy do the Farrelly brothers try!

Yet for all the … spirited exuberance of “Hall Pass,” the performances throughout the film were muted. There was no edge to any of the main characters. Even as things careen toward a close, there seemed to be a bashful complacency. They all seemed content to just plod forward with the film until it was over.

Some Greek guy once said, “Know thyself.”

If nothing else, the film reveals how lost most men are when it comes to understanding not only themselves and their limitations, but the other sex. And in a cinematic age of nonchalant misogyny, it was refreshing to see a film that — despite an overload on crudeness — was unabashed in portraying female characters as intelligent, reasonable human beings.

The overriding message of the film is of fidelity and appreciating that which matters most in life. Given the premise of the film, it’s a bit hard to fathom, but the filmmakers give it their schlocky best as the film comes to a close. Even graphic humor can’t stop the rom-com penchant for a bow-tied lesson in the end. The film certainly teeters on the brink, but it is far from bad.

• Hall Pass is playing at the Carmike 14 and the Malco Van Buren Cinema. Link here for time and ticket info.

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