Horrible Bosses

I guess somewhere deep down inside (or not so deep) each and every one of us who works for someone else has a twisted fantasy about inflicting pain... read more

I guess somewhere deep down inside (or not so deep) each and every one of us who works for someone else has a twisted fantasy about inflicting pain and watching our bosses suffer incredible pain. Horrible Bosses picks up on this one note idea and stretches it to an hour forty minutes with some hilarious results at times.

Three characters are introduced to us, Nick (Jason Bateman), Dale (Charlie Day) and Kurt (Jason Sudeikis). Nick is an advertising executive whos made to jump through hoops for a promotion hes never going to get by his sadistic boss, Harkin (Kevin Spacey). Dale on the other hand has been recently engaged but thanks to his meek manner is repeatedly sexually harassed by his boss, Dr. Julia Harris (Jennifer Aniston). Kurt on the other hand loves working for his boss, Jack (Donald Sutherland). Jacks untimely death leads to his coke-head son, Bobby (Colin Farrell) taking charge of the office making life hell for Kurt while generally not caring a hoot about the company his father built. One night the three over drinks fantasize about killing their respective bosses and actually go ahead and put their plan into action. To pull off the crimes they need a consultant with some experience and for that they hire the services of Dean Jones (Jamie Foxx) a tough-guy who might be not the smartest chip on the block himself. How the three try to off each others bosses forms the crux of the rest of the tale.

The guys who seem to be having the most fun are the guys and gal playing the evil bosses. Spacey we have seen before like this but Farell in an unrecognisable getup and Aniston letting loose some sort of inner evil nymph, are brilliantly funny. Plus it doesnt hurt that they get some of the best lines of the film. Charlie Day on the other hand as the meek Dale is the highlight from the rest of the guys but Jamie Foxx takes the cake as the completely clueless yet cool Dean Jones, whose middle name I cannot mention here.

Horrible Bosses is brilliant at times but also slackens towards the end with the plot. This movie is best enjoyed with a group of friends who share the same animosity towards their bosses. Even if you dont its still a lot of fun.

P.S. Do check out director Seth Gordons brilliant documentary, The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters, its simply riveting to say the least.view less

Killing one's boss is a fantasy many have indulged in and as a premise it works wonderfully in the favor of this film. Three archetypal bad bosses ... read more

Killing one's boss is a fantasy many have indulged in and as a premise it works wonderfully in the favor of this film. Three archetypal bad bosses are pitted against three average Joes. The result - a funny, sometimes bizarre and ridiculously crazy film.

The story revolves around three guys who (hilariously) oppressed at the hands of their (hilariously) horrible bosses, decide to bump them off with the help of a contract killer. But the best laid plans of men and mice often go awry. And this is where the film also starts to falter. Some really inane twists and turns owed to some unimaginative writing lets the film down towards the end. .

As actors go, this film boasts of some really big names. From thespians like Donald Sutherland and Kevin Spacey to bad boy Collin Farrell and America's own sweetheart Jennifer Aniston; every one of them is a delight to watch. The three bosses, Spacey, Aniston and Farrell are the life of the film and Jennifer Aniston displays some topnotch comic timing.

Director Seth Gordon has managed to craft a film that is whimsical, racy and over-the-top. But it works for the most part. Also some bad censor cutting mars the experience slightly. Try and get the DVD to get the full experience as the director intended it to be.

Overall, Horrible Bosses is a fun film to watch. Go out to see this with your boss and colleagues. You never know what might be around the corner for you. 3 stars. view less

Laced with humor that unapologetically relies on homophobic remarks, misogynistic attitudes and the crude racist, Horrible Bosses is the sort of bl... read more

Laced with humor that unapologetically relies on homophobic remarks, misogynistic attitudes and the crude racist, Horrible Bosses is the sort of black comedy which youd find Anees Bazmee making an attempt at.

Okay, maybe an Aneez Bazmee with a Masters in Seamless Wit Integration.

For most of the screen-time is devoted to humor arising out of the situational-slapstick variety but there is a neat storyline and some lovable and sympathetic characters on one end and some sadistically insensitive eponymous bosses on the other.

What do three employees who face a different genre of demon-boss in their respective workplaces do when anger-levels explode and the budding frustration threatens to overpower rational thinking? Well, they literally do what has been an inevitable notion in every subordinates nastiest fantasy.

Bump the Boss off.

Each of the chiefs has a devastatingly deplorable quality which goes on to validate the shocking impulse of their juniors. Although you wouldnt really think that theyd go as far as really indulging in the crudest of their fantasies all with approaching the crime with methodical seriousness, even going to a downtown bar to hire a hit-man (a thoroughly amusing Jammie Fox) who sadly, gets reduced to a murder-consultant.

Bosses seem to have the most of fun in this movie which clearly seems to have no qualms of rendering them with meat.

Theres the psychopath vice-president Harken essayed by Kevin Spacey who seems to revel in his subtle spasms of insanity as he employs motivating skills in Jason Batemans Nick by luring him to a promotion and making him slog, while stealing away the prize. Theres nymphomaniac dentist Dr. Julia Harris (Jennifer Aniston in an audacious departure) who doesnt make sexual harassment look all that bad as she vainly seduces her committed assistant Charlie Days Dale (imagine what she does with the anesthesia gas?) and then there is Colin Farell playing the cokehead who has inherited a legitimate company which raked in decent returns and turned it into his ATM, funding orgys laced with cocaine. From all these eccentric monsters who derive volatile amounts of pleasure in their own way, none of them ever entirely justified, Colin Farrells Bobby Pelliet is perhaps the most despicable. He runs the sex-show at the office while insisting on Charlie to get rid of fat and disabled people as he just doesnt like people who are slow.

The tortured slaves Nick, Dale and Kirt are tightly caught. When they contemplate a job-change, an old peer from university walks in the bar offering hand-jobs for a few dollars. Its probably a comment on Americas recession-hit economy where the situations so bad that you might as well as endure the boss-crap, however yucky.

The movie is made largely enjoyable by the impeccable ensemble, each of who spin their characters to a riveting persona. The working trio of Nick, Dale and Kurt are likable and sympathetic even when they are foolhardy and plain insipid. Amongst the evil gods, Kevin Spacey is phenomenal. His controlled menacing nature is creepy and does that man know how to pull the trigger. Collin Ferrell is hilariously cast and does to himself what Cruise did in a Ben Stiller film. Aniston is well a boss youd love to have when you dont intend to marry very soon. And hate to have had if youve had.

Although the movie weakens as it comes to a convenient closure, it has too much fun reaching till there and so the underwhelming, if smoothly clipped, ending doesnt really bother you so much.

As much as there is crude use of humor, there is much male-bonding on display. Just like Hangover, but without all that ecstasy. Watch it before a sequel finds its way.
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When I first saw the promos of Horrible Bosses, I was eagerly awaiting it just to watch badass Kevin Spacey in action. What was my feeling after wa... read more

When I first saw the promos of Horrible Bosses, I was eagerly awaiting it just to watch badass Kevin Spacey in action. What was my feeling after watching the film?
It is a genuinely funny film which even though not perfect, is one that I can even say has repeat value.

The film revolves around 3 tortured employees. Nick is a mid-level manager who is harassed by his self-loathing boss(Spacey), who shows him the carrot but never really lets him grow. Kurt is a good worker and has a great relation with his boss, but upon his death, his coke-addicted son(Colin Farrell) takes over and makes life a living hell for him. Lastly, Dale is a dental assistant to a provocative & sexually charged dentist(Jennifer Anniston) who really doesnt understand the meaning of sexual harassment.

All 3 are fed up with their lives and decide to finish their bosses once & for all. They chance upon Jamie Foxx who plays a murder consultant to them. It is actually as hilarious as it sounds and his small bit makes for a big laugh.
How their hatched plans eventually backfire and how they get caught up in a comedy of errors is a treat to watch.

Watch out for the scene where Kevin Spacey is get an allergic attack outside his house, It will have you in splits.

Why the film is so much is because of its performances. While the 3 main characters share great camaraderie and perfect chemistry, its the bosses that take the fun a notch higher.
Spacey is as sinister and stellar as usual. Colin F is unrecognizable and equally good. But the surprise package of this film is Jennifer Anniston who is looking smoking hot & packs a knockout punch in terms of her performance.
I
n my opinion, Horrible Bosses is way better in terms of entertainment value than most Hollywood comedies in the last few months. Its light, insanely enjoyable & I can bet on the fact that if its ever coming on TV, you would watch it again for sure.
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