The Pursuit of Unhappiness
Katie Cimmino, Staff Writer|March 24, 2010
In the latest romantic comedy, the Bounty Hunter, starring Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston, the thrill of the pursuit is what keeps love interesting, not so much the film.
Butler plays an unclean and cut former cop who works as a bounty hunter by the name of Milo Boyd. He is given the task of tracking down his ex-wife, Nicole Hurly (played Jennifer Aniston), after she jumps bail.
Hurly is a reporter for the New York Daily News and tries to track down the details of a mysterious suicide while on the run.
Although it is not clear why they broke up, it is evident that their opposite personalities never help things work out.
In an odd twist of events, Boyd and Hurly are forced back together as they take a brief trip from Atlantic City back to New York.
At first, the plot appears to be suspenseful and filled with humor, but quickly proves to be nothing more than a superficial storyline leading to the always predictable happy endings.
The movie has some action-packed sequences (seemingly out of nowhere), but come as a much needed relief to the sometimes awkward interaction between Butler and Aniston.
Another flaw is that the two leading actors have little chemistry in the film. Their characters do not possess much substance, especially since the audience knows little about their past relationship. The biggest draw to this movie is the fact that both actors have big names.
The supporting actors provided most of the
comedy. Jason Sudeikis played a fellow news reporter who is smitten with Hurly and is not shy about his unhealthy obsession with her by following her everywhere. While his nerdy character was annoying, his situation was at least entertaining to watch.
Christine Baranski also stars in the film as Hurly's flamboyant mother, Kitty, who acts as a prima donna Atlantic City singer.
Unfortunately, her appearances are too few and brief, however, she at least manages to bring her character to life and draw out laughter from most viewers.
There are many times when director Andy Tennant (Hitch) loads the film with unnecessary music as a way to fill the empty spaces in the movie. Unfortunately, the score does nothing to enhance the romance between Aniston and Butler and could have been filled with some sarcastic wit that the film seems to lack.
The Bounty Hunter contains a pinch of romance, comedy and action, but has an overall predictable recipe like the chick flicks that have come before it.
Season In Photos: Men's Basketball Finishes In Big East Basement
coronavirus st. john's
Students Move Off Campus Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
Harry Styles Releases 'Watermelon Sugar' Music Video
Students Tell All: COVID-19 Pandemic
'Wealth Test' Imposed, Immigrants Discriminated: President Trump's New Order
Special session at the UN
Critic's Corner: "Get Out"
Gilman scholarship offers students a chance to study abroad
Men's soccer scores emotional victory at Belson
Vintage show to take on Manhattan
We love comments and feedback, but we ask that you please be respectful in your responses.
All The Torch Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest