Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? Yes.
Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? Of course.
Secret ending? No, but there’s a bloopers reel in the credits.
Running time: 87 minutes (~1.5 hours)
“Hot Pursuit” is an action comedy that follows the exploits of an inexperienced police officer who’s left protecting a witness from their pursuers. It stars Reese Witherspoon (Officer Cooper) and Sofia Vergara (Daniella Riva). It is rated NC-16.
“Hot Pursuit” is a buddy movie with a twist – it pairs two female leads, instead of the traditional male leads. It helps that both the lead actresses are experienced comedy actors, and their chemistry is what propels the movie forward. In a sense, it could also be a road trip flick, what with the premise being that both the characters are on the run. But ultimately, it’s their journey, rather than their destination, that brings out the funnies in the film.
Highlights
Several running gags
One of the more interesting comic techniques in the film is the strong use of running gags, where the same joke is repeated, but with modifications several times in the film. Although it’s still effectively the same joke, it works on two hilarious levels – the joke itself speaks to their characters, and the repetition of it serves to exasperate the protagonists even more. Best of all, it’s used to break the pace whenever events seem to be slowing them, adding an unexpected (but welcome) element in such scenes.
Chemistry between Reese Witherspoon and Sofia Vergara
The two actresses play off each other with superb comic timing and amusing reactions, creating a comedy that is so much more than the sum of its parts. Their comfort level with each other is obvious on screen, leading to a natural and genuine performance. This level of familiarity affords them the chance to take smaller, slighter comic risks that would otherwise be difficult with actors who are not so close, and it pays off beautifully in their overall performance.
Plot twist in Act Two
Despite the simplistic and straightforward plot, Act Two closes with a surprising twist, giving us an Act Three that changes the dynamic of the story and keeps us interested and engaged in the film. For a comedy, this is quite unexpected, and it also helps to pay off the relationship that has been developed in the first two Acts. The conflict and resolution of Act Three hinges on the friendship developed between the two ladies, leading to several heartwarming (but not overly sappy) scenes that will bring a smile to your face.
Letdowns
Sofia Vergara plays the same character as every other show
Although she may amuse as the indignant Columbian immigrant married to a rich husband, the fact is that her characterisation remains the same across every show. Perhaps it’s a function of being typecast as the bimbo with a good heart, but it would have been nice to see her show a little bit more differentiation from her other performances.
Thin, straightforward plot
There’s a plot twist, yes, but the rest of the plot is rather simplistic and unexciting. Also, it doesn’t entirely fulfil the premise of a “hot pursuit” – they’re not pursued with as much dogged determination as you’d expect, and there’s no true threat to them. They’ll be captured, but their pursuers are so incompetent that you know no real harm will come to the characters anyway.
“Hot Pursuit” exceeds expectations with its performances and humour, demonstrating once again that all good comedy come from character. Sofia Vergara and Reese Witherspoon show that they still have what it takes as excellent comedians, breaking new ground as a refreshing but familiar odd couple.
“Hot Pursuit” opens in cinemas 7 May, 2015 (Thursday).
This review was also published on Yahoo Singapore.
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