‘Due Date’ one of the best comedies of the year

Director: Todd Phillips

Cast: Robert Downey Jnr, Michelle Monaghan, Juliette Lewis, Zach Galifianaskis, Jamie Foxx

It’s likely your first impression will be that you’ve stumbled into 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles ll' but this road-trip-from-hell comedy from the director who brought us the excellent 'The Hangover' is even better, and certainly more interesting in that it has stronger characters and a more mature script.

It is funny, and quite sentimental, throughout too. OK, so it does steal the basic premise from PTA but since it’s so entertaining we can forgive that.

Downey is quite brilliant as high-strung businessman Peter Highman who is desperate to get home to LA for the birth of his child but can’t get his flight out of Atlanta.

He is forced to team up with wannabe actor Ethan (Galifianaskis) – the sort of travelling companion you would not be hanged for murdering – and on the journey there are the usual misadventures, misunderstandings and odd-ball characters … all of which adds to the fun and frustration.

This is one of the best comedies of the year.

Star Rating: 5/5