What Happens in Vegas… – 2008
...in this case, should most definitely have stayed in Vegas. There are few things more cringe worthy than an unfunny comedy, unless it’s an unfunny comedy that also tries to be some vulgar excuse for a romantic comedy, and fails wholeheartedly at that as well. The energy and individuality of
Directed by Tom Vaughan, who worked on few previous projects, seems have no legs for creating a successful comedy, as even likeable leads actors Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz cannot save this film, especially with the performances they put forth; a paycheque effort to be certain. The premise is simple enough, Joy McNally (Diaz) has just been dumped by her fiancée. Jack Fuller (Kutcher) has just been fired from his job. They both come to respective conclusions that Vegas is the premier place to forget their woes. A wild and drunken night of partying leads to some slurred exchanges of vows, and they awake into the world of marriage. As they are deciding to annul the union, a single lucky quarter changes it all. Winning three million at the slots, Jack immediately believes all his problems are over…that is until he realizes he is married. When seeking the aforementioned annulment, the judge, played absolutely horribly by Deirdre O’Connell sentences them to six months forced marriage to work their domestic issues out, at what time the two decide they will claim to have done everything to save their partnership, split their money, and be on their merry.
But wait, could these two crazy kids find actual love in this whole zany situation, discover that happiness can be presented when one least suspects it, and love happily ever after? Whoops, but not before consulting Hater (Rob Corddry) and Tipper (Lake Bell), Jack and Dawn’s respective best friends try to do everything to get the other to end the marriage on their own. This is the stage of the film in which the unbearably cruel and obvious series of genius plans are hatched, pitting man against women, raised toilet seats versus scented candles and our patience against our natural urges to walk out on this film. Not once during this unbelievably overlong segment do they calm themselves down, and simply try to get along. They simply become more and more cruel, and the picture gets harder and more unpleasant to watch; a similar folly that befell, How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days except that that film actually had some humorous scenes to cushion the blows. The friends Hater and Tipper are so ridiculously unfunny and obnoxious they just further degrade the film, and the predictability of the ending disintegrates any romantic tension or surprise that could arise.
It is not until the closing act where we see any semblance of a real movie, where finally we see a spark of two fly. But unfortunately this minimal amount of heat can’t power that Bunsen burner, so no chemistry is ever seen. In fact, there are a few scenes in the closing act that actually pulsate with some genuine emotion, but this simply reminds us of how poorly the former acts played out in this fashion. After all is said and done, nothing works; the plot is fragmented between romantic comedy and gross-out humour, the performances range from bland to terrible, and the way the narrative unfolds is so obvious it would have been more interested if viewed in reverse. If this is what happens in Vegas, then no movie should be made their again.
© 2008 Simon Brookfield
