Horrible Bosses
2011 · Directed by Seth Gordon
Original language: English
- comedy
- crime
The story
For Nick, Kurt and Dale, the only thing that would make the daily grind more tolerable would be to grind their intolerable bosses into dust. Quitting is not an option, so, with the benefit of a few-too-many drinks and some dubious advice from a hustling ex-con, the three friends devise a convoluted and seemingly foolproof plan to rid themselves of their respective employers... permanently.
What it’s like
Bright, flat studio lighting over ordinary offices, suburban kitchens and cluttered bachelor apartments, with a shiny, glossy digital finish and quick cuts that snap between three friends' faces in close medium shots. The sound is a loose, upbeat pop-rock score underlining scenes of bickering and escalating scheming, with plenty of talk-over-talk and physical sight gags. Its vibe is brisk, scrappy and irreverent, the energy of a bad night out that turns into a plan you should not be making. It suits a lazy weekend evening, a group watch with friends, or a comfort rewatch when you want laughs without much thinking. The rhythm is fast and jokey, with a clear build toward a farcical finale and a jaunty stinger after the credits. The emotional register stays light: three put-upon workers who blow off steam, bond through panic, and gradually learn that their grievances are funnier than their schemes. Violence is mostly threatened or implied, with some crude language, sexual innuendo and brief moments of peril; no real gore, and nothing to unsettle. It is for people who want a raucous, profane workplace comedy that lands on the side of friendship.
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