'Hall Pass' shows decline of Farrelly Brothers films

Directors: Bobby & Peter Farrelly

Cast: Owen Wilson, Jason Sudeikis, Jenna Fischer, Christina Applegate

Cert: 16

The Brothers Farrelly try here to move away from their usual gross-out films – a genre which has, of late, left them struggling to sustain their initial impact – but while there are moments, albeit brief, of wit and observation the whole is disappointing.

The ‘pass’ of the title refers to the permission, however unlikely, two wives, Maggie (Fischer) and Grace (Applegate), give to husbands Rick (Wilson) and Fred (Sudeikis) to have an affair while they take the kids for a short break.

The men are, of course, painted as inept and bumbling oafs who might cast many an eye towards every female but like dogs who chase cars wouldn’t know what to do if they caught one.

Plus, sadly, there is something vulgar and tacky about the entire premise with no cleverness to overcome it. Even the funny parts seem to have been tacked on with no thought to how effective they might be.

Have, as seems possible from this poor film, the brothers lost their touch?

Star Rating: 2/5