Observe and Report (2009)

Tagline: Right now, the world needs a hero.

Curiosity: I’ve been a Seth Rogan fan since Freaks and Geeks, and I don’t give up on favorites easily (much to the girlfriend’s chagrin). Also, the film’s mixed critical reaction makes it seem like a solid rental pick.

Plot: Delusional, bipolar head of mall security Ronnie (Rogan) takes two things seriously: his job and his affection for Brandi (Anna Faris), who works in the make-up department in the same mall. When a flasher (Randy Gambill) burns images into Brandi’s brain that she can never erase, Ronnie thinks that this is the perfect opportunity to impress his dream girl by catching the pervert. But then the mall hires Detective Harrison (Ray Liotta) to investigate the case. Ronnie and Harrison become rivals over this, which eventually causes Ronnie to try out for the police force.

Thoughts: I know I mentioned being a Rogan fan – he did at one point seem to have the best career of the Freaks and Geeks cast with turns in Undeclared, The 40-Year Old Virgin­, and Knocked Up. But man, that dude has been squandering that good will ever since the overrated Pineapple Express. At least Funny People had its moments; Observe and Report is an ugly, hateful film. It’s supposed to be a dark comedy, but I fail to see those qualities.

Observe and Report doesn't feel like much of a comedy, given that A) there aren’t many jokes and B) it isn’t that funny. The plot meanders for a while, Ronnie is a downright scary dude in his self-delusions, and the movie may or may not a rape scene between Ronnie and Brandi. There’s a line of dialogue thrown in near the end of said scene that’s meant to establish the sex as consensual, but it’s delivered by Brandi after a lengthy night of boozin’. So yeah, it’s drunk sex and Ronnie might not totally understand what he’s doing and blah blah blah. Here’s the thing: If you ever find yourself saying, “Well, it’s only kind of rape,” maybe you should drop your argument.

Pineapple Express had a problem juxtaposing comedy with violence. Observe and Report has that problem and more – the action is certainly violent, but the humor is nonexistent. Although I did get about five seconds of joy out of seeing Patton Oswalt’s cameo, not that it’s special.

Reflection: Get your shit together, Seth. Jason Segal is kicking your ass.