Horrible Bosses (2011)

Black comedies are a difficult genre to master, to balance out circumstances and situations which would normally have no place in a comedy, and to spin them enough that they remain entertaining but don’t lose their edge is not easy. In that vein Horrible Bosses is not a black comedy, though I think on one level it really wants to be, but the fingerprints of a nervous studio aware they are making a mainstream release are all over it, sanding down any potential sharp edges and as a result denying the film any real bite.

The film concerns itself with three friends, all stuck in work situations made untenable by their overbearing, bullying and sexually inappropriate bosses. Nick (Jason Bateman) has been slaving away for a promotion he has no chance of actually getting to the delight of his egomaniacal boss (Kevin Spacey in scenery chewing mood), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) seems to have a great position at a successful haulage firm until the induction of the free-loading morally bankrupt new owner Colin Farrell, resplendent with balding wig and beer belly changes things. Finally we have dental assistant Dale (Charlie Day) who is tormented by the sexually aggressive Jennifer Aniston (his friends consternation of how much this constitutes an actual problem echoes that of the audience, he certainly seems to get the better deal of things). Joined by their shared work situations the three, jokingly, suggest one night that killing off their bosses would solve their problems, and this acorn soon grows into a plan of action.

The trouble with high-concept comedies such as this is keeping the audience with characters on such an extreme journey. The idea of these friends moving from average guys in unhappy jobs to murderers is a potentially interesting arc, but one that is never really dwelt on, the decision almost seems arbitrary once it is set in motion and whilst the film is fairly consistently entertaining it never drove home either the true awfulness of the bosses to get us on side with the leads, or highlight the psychotic nature of their plan, which could also have worked to make their instability the focus. As it is each of the bosses gets to have their moment, all three actors clearly enjoying the chance to let loose, Anniston in particular seems to relish the chance to play such a different character from usual, but the film has no teeth, no sting and falls easily into stock situations (a character accidentally inhales drugs!) whilst taking a copout ending rather than risk something a lot darker.

All this is a shame as much of the film itself is very enjoyable, the three leads are all very funny and work well together and a few of the set pieces are well constructed providing many great moments. There is an amusing cameo from Jamie Foxx as well, who is used sparingly but well, but the films insistence on keeping things (relatively) light and fun gets in the way of its core premise which could have dealt with the ideas of revenge, or entitlement in a darkly subversive way. Instead the film is happy to tread water in the mainstream comedy pool, as such it’s not a bad film at all, but it is a more forgettable and rote experience than it might have been, which is a shame.