At first, I was skeptical. Although Ferrell and Hart are arguably the two funniest men alive, I thought it might be hard to make a film with such a small plot enjoyable. A corrupt millionaire, James King, is convicted of fraud and faces jail time. He seeks the help of car wash employee, Darnell Lewis, to help him prepare for the tough prison society he’ll be living in in 30 days time. Thankfully, I was wrong. Though the plot does not have the favorable plot of previous Ferrell films like “Step Brothers” or “Anchorman,” the comedic personalities of Hart and Ferrell make the film worth the price of admission.
Will Ferrell first wins over the audience with a role that most Ferrell fans are familiar with: a pompous, over-the-top asshole. He plays James King—a well-off businessman working for his father-in-law’s hedge fund company. King is self-assured and unaware of the normal assets of life. He lives with servants in a mansion that his wife Alissa, played by “Community” star Alison Brie, believes is too small.
The film quickly forms his background as a wealthy unaware fund manager. Once I was introduced to his lavish ridiculous lifestyle, I immediately felt comfortable with the film and became excited for what was to come. Ferrell makes the audience gasp and laugh with his funny antics and commitment to James King’s air-headed personality. Just when the audience becomes familiar with Ferrell’s character, the film changes its focus to Hart’s character.
Just as drastically different as Kevin Hart and Will Ferrell are in real life, (they have an 11-inch height difference), so are their lives in the film. Hart’s character, Darnell Lewis, is a struggling owner of a car wash business. His business coincidentally washes the cars of employees of Ferrell’s business. Lewis is trying to get his daughter into a better school, but can’t come up with enough money to put her in a private school. Hart carries the role with familiarity, letting his personality show through the character and winning over the hearts of the audience.
The comedic chemistry presents itself immediately and the audience realizes the capabilities of both Ferrell and Hart’s comedic genius. The film carries a preferred dark comedy route. Neither of them are afraid to bring up raunchy and uncomfortable topics and make them bearable and hilarious. The film brings two comedic opposites together for a hilarious ride, driven by writer Etan Cohen. For fans of the outrageously funny, this is your film.
