Due Date

First Hit: There are funny moments but the film is forgettable upon leaving the theater.

The first thing that struck me about the first 15 minutes of this film is that it was highly improbable. To make a road film like this there needs to be some belief that something like this could happen (Remember “Silver Streak”, “Planes, Trains and Automobiles”, “Midnight Run” and even Phillips own “Hangover” to some extent).

Here an angry temperamental Peter Highman (played by Robert Downey Jr.) is headed home from a business trip so that he can be with his wife during the birth of their first child. Enter Ethan Tremblay (played by Zach Galifianakis) who is headed to Hollywood because his recently dead dad told him he should live his dream.

The difference between these two characters is so massive and stark that the likelihood of their meeting had to be created by a bizarre set of unlikely events.

Downey Jr. gives this his best shot as does Galifianakis. together they create two entrenched characters that are bizarrely different. Downey is a straight laced businessman who is on edge most of the time and has to be reminded by his wife to watch his anger. Galifianakis is goofy, overweight, sweaty, and wears pants that are too tight which make him walk like he’s got something stuck up his bum. He’s always talking and asking questions which annoys Downey’s character. And then there is the dog – masturbating with one paw – yeah right, it was stupidly unfunny. Alan R. Cohen and Alan Freedland were the main writers of this unconvincing film and the poor direction can be pointed at Todd Phillips.

Overall: Because it was not believable that these two people would meet let alone drive to LA together makes the premise bad and a poor film. However there are funny moments.

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