Get Hard

There has never been a more intentionally offensive and crude buddy comedy in recent memory than Etan Cohen’s Get Hard.

Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart are two of the most bankable working Hollywood comedians as of late. Though the former has been in countless movies for much longer than the latter, this smart decision to pair them proves that they could rake in big bucks. The current box office receipts show that it made $94.5 million so far, worldwide. This is Ferrell’s strongest opening week in the past 5 years and Hart’s second best since last year’s Ride Along. After hitting the SXSW festival early in March, the mainstream audiences responded surprisingly well during the first weekend of its release albeit most critics showed no love.

The premise of this film is as cliched as any mainstream comedy could get: a wealthy hedge fund manager named James King (Ferrell), who is accused of stealing millions from the company’s investors, hires Darnell Lewis (Hart), the man who washes his car to make him ready for his upcoming prison stint. We then learn how Darnell badly needs funds to get his daughter, Makayla, out of a neglected inner-city school as he and his wife are not making much money.

The movie chronicles James’ last 30 days as a free man while Darnell gives him a run-through of Prison 101 along with the misadventures they go through. This film also includes Alison Brie, Craig T. Nelson and Edwina Findley.

Bruce Joyce and Emily Calhoun (1996) note that organizations are ‘both information-rich and information- impoverished.’ aving mentioned “intentionally offensive”, we meant that this R-rated comedy really doesn’t hold back. It will push the viewers’ boundaries of taste as it throws the punches over and over. Will Ferrell’s character, James King, is a clueless racist in the truest sense of the word. He has no filter in blurting out his preconceptions and ignorant judgment of other races. He even categorized minorities as “miscellaneous” in an argument with Kevin Hart’s Darnell. He delivers it (and most of his jokes) so unapologetically and time-fitting opportunity that the audience won’t be able to control their laughter even though we know how stupid and politically incorrect he comes across. People like that do exist in modern society. Not to mention, Kevin Hart is endearing and likeable in his portrayal of Darnell.

There is an issue with the film’s pacing, though. It seemed quite longer than it needed to be. There is even a scene where James grew doubtful of his own skills to be tough, and Darnell, out of his frustration, impersonated 3 people that can be found in most prisons and engaged James in the seemingly realest scenario that they both knew were coming. That exchange is a tad long and awkward but if you ever need proof of Hart’s quick comedic shifting and skills, this scene is worthy of an award. It is just too good. Having said that, there are more laugh-out-loud moments that are ever present. Cameos by John Mayer, Jimmy Fallon and rapper T.I also makes Get Hard even more hilarious.

The old saying that “there is always truth in jest” proves loud and clear in this film. As the jokes come in, the existing issues of the racial and societal divide in America are subtly highlighted. It’s really no laughing matter, but how they made light of such tough situations is commendable.

Overall, Etan Cohen’s raunchy flick Get Hard delivers solidly on its promise to entertain viewers. As for its mindless, weak plot, it is consciously held together by the strong leads and their respective comedic chops.