(95 min, 2010)Director: Todd Phillips
Writers: Alan R. Cohen (screenplay), Alan Freedland (screenplay)
Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galifianakis and Michelle Monaghan
Growing up.
Peter Highman (Robert Downey Jr.) must get to LA in five days to be at the birth of his firstborn. He is about to fly home from Atlanta when his luggage and wallet are stolen, and he is put on the "no-fly" list. Desperate to get home Peter is forced to accept the offer of Ethan Tremblay (Zach Galifianakis) to hitch a ride with him cross-country. Peter is about to go on a terrifying and agonizing journey of his life.
The movie begins with a scene that is not funny at all. We get to see close up of Peter, lying on the bed, describing his dream. He is talking to his wife, who is miles away from him. This scene sets the tone for entire movie – it suggests we will get to experience something surreal, important and personal. The journey of two strangers who will end up being friends. And who will, finally, take control in their lives.
I had no high expectations, the critics stated in few reviews that the movie is “completely unfunny”. Out of all the things written about this movie, this one is the biggest lie – the film has many incredibly hilarious sequences and fantastic dialogues. Mexico, accidental firing of a gun, crazy beating Peter takes and when he loses it and then tries to patch things up with Ethan are so funny at one point I almost fell off my chair. But hilarious scenes are actually often seen in movies. “Due Date” is especially surprising because never before had I seen a comedy that mixes hilarious scenes with heartbreaking and tender ones, so rapidly and unexpectedly changing the tone of the sequence. At one point I was laughing, 10 seconds later I was covering my mouth in shock and 30 seconds later I was feeling very sorry for the characters and wanted them to be happy again.
