skinbobrabbit
I'm amazed that although the US have adopted Ricky Gervais, that they still don't get him. Everything he's been involved in, that's ended up on a screen, has been a piss-take. Usually those piss-takes have offended people who don't get the joke, hence the 2 star Nutfux rating for this movie.The underline story is a simple one. A hunky heart-throb journalist and his blundering loser, sound-tech, fake a news story (never, ever happens), but, end up getting taken hostage, in Ecuador for real.
I say 'underline' story because that's exactly what it is. This is a complete piss-take of the American, star spangled moron. Its a salute to those who happily donate a dollar to any stupid cause that's got a stars and stripes draped over it. This is a satirical piece by Gervais, that's cloaked by a typical storyline that would get the bobble-hatted masses cheering for Uncle Sam and the Muurican way.
Laugh? You will, if you get it.Even the final words spoken by the brilliant, Kelly Macdonald and Gervais, gives the viewers a clue to the piss-take:
"This is like being in a movie"
"A low budget movie, really"
Jayesh Sinha
Don't go in expecting this to be the next Citizen Kane, but don't believe the negative reviews either.This film starts off as being a typical mismatched buddy comedy, but its plot has lots of depth and is quite multi layered. The characters are all very interesting as well and the first half of the film is a total knockout.The story goes to a point where the two protagonists end up in a tight corner and you really want to know how they will possibly get out of it. Its a very intriguing situation to say the least. Its outlandish but still within the realms of being believable.Then there is the comedy. I don't think I ever laughed out loud but the film definitely had me smiling for the bulk of its length.The final part of the film was not how I would have chosen to close the chapter, but even so it is the only little gripe I have about the film.As I said, don't expect a cinematic masterpiece when you go to watch the film, BUT, this is definitely one of the most solid films in the mismatched buddy comedy (mis)adventure genre to have ever been made (at least in recent years for sure).Its not the perfect film for sure, but well worth a watch.
Gordon-11
This film tells the story of a radio station journalist and a technician, who are sent to Ecuador to cover an armed conflict. However, they misplaced their passports and have to make their coverage up as they go hiding in New York."Special Correspondents" may sound funny on paper. Eric Bana's character is charismatic and confident, while Ricky Gervais is funny as as a depressed wreck. However, it bugs me that there is an obvious plot hole that there is no record of them leaving the country, which the government would easily have picked up on. In addition, the lack of ethical standards of these two guys is rather unnerving as well. Overall, it is alright as some brainless fun, though I cannot say I enjoyed it too much because I was more annoyed and unnerved, than amused.
Schatz87
In all likelihood it went over many people's heads, considering how inundated we are with pointless comedies that often receive a far higher rating on IMDb or higher ticket sales at the box office.Great to see Eric Bana killing it again, but this time figuratively in a role as a self-confident, rogue reporter at a local news station. So too is the rest of the hilarious character gallery, along with their quirky foibles, from the manipulative money-grubbing sociopath played by Vera Farmiga to the over-emotional America Ferrera. Not to mention Gervais in the leading actor playing a fumbling doofus technician with low self-esteem, but with the redeemable quality of being kindhearted and well-meaning. Until he snorts coke, that is.. The film has a fair amount of subtle humor baked into the dialogue and contains a broader societal satire e.g. on the superficiality of news media, on the obsession with fame in today's docusoap infested society, and on the callous amorality of the drug gangs of Latin America, etc. It's also a feelgood movie you leave with a smile, but that nonetheless doesn't suffer from being syrupy and maudlin which is so typical for the genre. The low-budget remake of the original French film feels like a fresh take in a world where Hollywood constantly churns out focus group-tested flavorless rom-coms.
AD
